Digital Archeology Teacher Guide Digital Archeology Audit
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson 01
Lesson Objective
Students will perform a systematic audit of their digital footprint, identifying potential reputational risks and applying privacy-enhancing configurations to their primary social accounts.
Materials Needed
Student laptops/devices
"Digital Archeology" Student Sheet
Teacher Slide Deck
Projector/Display
Pacing
Hook (Search Hunt) 10 min
Direct Instruction 15 min
The Audit Workshop 25 min
Reflection/Exit Ticket 10 min
The Hook: Operation Shadow Hunt
Provide students with the following fictional profile details. Their goal is to find as much "dirt" or personal info as possible in 10 minutes.
Subject: Alex Chen (Fictional)
Email: achen_hoops98@gmail.com
Username: xX_phantom_98_Xx
Discussion Questions
What was the first thing you found?
How many different platforms was this user on?
What was the most surprising piece of "old" info found?
How does this connect to your own old accounts?
Key Instructional Points
01
The "Data Never Dies" Fallacy
Deleting a post is not the same as erasing data. Cache, backups, and third-party scraping mean content exists indefinitely. Use the analogy of a "digital tattoo" rather than a "digital footprint."
02
Context Collapse
Explain how a joke made for friends in 9th grade looks to a recruiter 4 years later. The "audience" of a post expands over time beyond its original intent.
03
The Admissions Reality
Share current stats (e.g., Kaplan reports ~35-40% of admissions officers check social media). It's often used as a "tie-breaker" or to confirm character.
04
Platform-Specific Audit
Guide students to check "tagged" photos specifically. This is often where they lose control over their image.
Differentiation & Support
For Early Finishers
Challenge students to set up "Google Alerts" for their own names and research how to request removal of content from "People Search" sites (e.g., Whitepages).
For Students with Limited Presence
Have them audit a celebrity or local public figure. Focus on the "Positive Branding" aspect—what *should* be there if a recruiter looks?
Digital Archeology Student Audit Digital Archeology Audit
Personal Footprint Investigation & Optimization
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The "Incognito" Search
Open a private/incognito browser window. Search for your full name + your town/school. List the first 5 results and categorize them.
Source (Site Name)
Content Type (Social, News, Images, etc.)
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02
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05
Part 2: Platform Risk Assessment
Platform Visibility Setting Who can tag me? "Red Flag" Content? Instagram
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| TikTok |
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| Snapchat |
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| Old FB/X/etc |
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* "Red Flag" content includes: profanity, illegal activities, polarizing rants, or overly personal health/financial info.
Part 3: The Scrub List
Identify 3 specific things you found today that you want to delete, archive, or hide before college/job applications begin.
01. Item/Platform:
Reason for removal:
02. Item/Platform:
Reason for removal:
Reflective Response
In 3–4 sentences, explain how your digital history might be misinterpreted by someone who doesn't know you (e.g., an admissions officer or a recruiter). What "story" does your data tell right now?
Algorithm Engine Slides Lesson 02
The Algorithm
Engine
Understanding the invisible forces shaping your digital reality and mental health.
A Tale of Two Feeds
Profile A
Likes 3 fitness videos, follows 1 entrepreneur, watches 2 car reviews.
Result: "Hustle Culture" Echo Chamber
Profile B
Watches 1 political news clip, likes 2 controversial rants, follows 1 activist.
Result: "Outage & Conflict" Echo Chamber
Question: How long does it take for the algorithm to "decide" who you are?
The Feedback Loop
Input
Every like, scroll speed, re-watch, and comment is data. Even "hovers" are tracked.
Inference
The AI builds a predictive model: What will keep this specific user on the app for 1 more minute?
The Price of
Engagement
Algorithms aren't designed to make you happy or informed. They are designed to keep you scrolling .
Doomscrolling: The cycle of consuming negative news.
Social Comparison: AI highlights "perfection."
Autonomy Hack
• Turn off "For You" as the default view.
• Delete apps that trigger anxiety loops.
• Use "Search" instead of "Feed."
• Set app timers that *lock* you out.
Algorithm Ethics Cards Algorithm Ethics
Small Group Discussion Cards
Lesson 02 Activity
Scenario A
The Recruitment Glitch
A major tech company uses an AI algorithm to filter 10,000 resumes. Because the AI was trained on the "current successful employees" (mostly men), it begins penalizing any resume that includes "Women's College" or "Women's Soccer."
Debate Prompt:
Is the company ethically responsible for the AI's "learning" process? Should algorithms be used for high-stakes decisions like hiring?
Scenario B
The Engagement Trap
A social media platform's algorithm discovers that posts showing extreme anger receive 10x more engagement than calm discussion. To increase ad revenue, the AI prioritizes inflammatory content on everyone's feed.
Debate Prompt:
If a company's goal is profit, is it "evil" to maximize engagement? Where do we draw the line between "serving content" and "manipulating society"?
Scenario C
The Perfection Spiral
An 18-year-old likes one video about healthy eating. Within two days, her entire "For You" feed is filled with extreme fitness routines, calorie counting apps, and filtered models. She begins to feel intense body dysmorphia.
Debate Prompt:
Does the platform have a legal duty to "de-rank" content that triggers mental health spirals? Is the user responsible for their own media consumption?
Scenario D
The Echo Chamber
A user only follows accounts that share one specific political viewpoint. The algorithm stops showing them any opposing views. Eventually, the user believes 100% of the country agrees with them and views the "other side" as a literal enemy.
Debate Prompt:
Is the algorithmic curation of reality a threat to democracy? Should social media apps be forced to show you content you "don't like"?
Instructions: Cut these cards out. Assign one to each group of 3-4 students. Students have 8 minutes to discuss and 2 minutes to present their "group consensus" to the class.
Digital Gavel Slides Legal Briefing // Lesson 03
The Digital
Gavel
"Freedom of Speech" vs. "Legal Accountability" in the Digital Age.
LEGAL LITERACY UNIT
The Hook: Case #2024-X
The Revoked Acceptance
In 2017, Harvard University revoked the admissions offers of at least 10 prospective students after they shared offensive memes in a private Facebook group chat.
Student Argument:
"It was a private chat. We have freedom of speech. This shouldn't affect our education."
University Response:
"We reserve the right to withdraw an offer if a student's conduct brings into question their character or fitness for our community."
Who was in the right?
Legal Boundaries
Defamation
Making a false statement of fact that harms someone's reputation. Opinion is protected; lies are not.
Harassment
Repeated, targeted conduct intended to alarm, annoy, or terrorize. Often moves from "rude" to "criminal."
NCIS
Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery. Distributing private photos without consent. Felony in many states.
The "Free Speech" Myth
"Freedom of speech protects you from the government , not from your employer , your university , or civil lawsuits ."
Once you turn 18, you are legally an adult. Mistakes online carry adult consequences.
Digital Gavel Cases THE DIGITAL GAVEL
Case Study Analysis: Online Conduct
Subject:
Date:
REF: JUR-S-2026
Case Study 01: The "Hype" Post
CHARGE: HARASSMENT
Statement of Facts:
A high school senior, frustrated by a peer's performance in a basketball game, posts a picture of the peer with the caption: "Someone should really take care of this loser. Meet me at the locker room after school." Within an hour, 50 students have 'liked' the post and 10 have added threatening comments. The senior claims it was "just hype" and "school spirit trashtalk."
Legal Question:
Does this qualify as a "true threat" under harassment laws, or is it protected hyperbole (exaggeration)?
Student Verdict & Reasoning:
Was the student's behavior a crime? Why or why not?
Case Study 02: The One-Star Review
CHARGE: DEFAMATION
Statement of Facts:
After being fired for being late, an 18-year-old employee posts a review of the local pizza shop stating: "Worst place ever. I saw a rat in the kitchen and the manager hits employees." The rat claim is proven false by health inspectors, and the physical abuse claim is proven false by security footage. The shop sees a 40% drop in revenue.
Legal Question:
Can the shop sue the former employee for financial damages? Does "Freedom of Speech" allow for false reviews?
Student Verdict & Reasoning:
Is this defamation? What should the legal penalty be?
The Turning Point
Summarize the biggest difference between how you are treated legally as a minor (under 18) versus as an adult (18+) regarding your online actions.
Professional Blueprint Slides The Career Toolkit // Lesson 04
Professional
Blueprint
Curation is not censorship. Learn to lead with your best digital self.
The Hiring Committee
In 30 seconds, a hiring manager decides if you're a fit. They look at your resume... and then they look at you.
The Challenge:
Review the provided candidate profiles.
Sort into "Interview" or "Reject" piles.
You must justify your choice in ONE sentence.
Analyzing Profile Synergy...
The Platform Spectrum
The Office (LinkedIn)
Your professional portfolio. Highlights skills, certifications, and volunteer work. Tone is formal, ambitious, and networking-focused.
Rule of Thumb:
"If you wouldn't say it in an interview, don't post it here."
The Hangout (Instagram/TT)
Your personal lifestyle. Highlights hobbies, personality, and friends. Tone is casual and authentic—but still publicly searchable.
Rule of Thumb:
"Privacy settings are your best friend. Keep it for your tribe."
The Perfect Bio
A professional bio is your 10-second elevator pitch in text form.
01
Who are you?
"Senior at West High. Robotics lead."
02
What do you do?
"Focused on sustainable engineering solutions."
03
Where are you going?
"Seeking tech internship opportunities for Summer '26."
Practice Time
Turn to your neighbor. Give them 3 keywords that describe your "Professional Self."
#Leader
#Creator
#ProblemSolver
Professional Brand Blueprint Worksheet Brand Blueprint
Strategic Professional Identity Workshop
Candidate:
Date:
Phase 1: The Professional Bio
Using the 3-step formula from the slides (Who / What / Where), draft a professional bio for your LinkedIn or portfolio site.
01. Identity (Who)
e.g., Computer Science Student at Tech High
02. Value (What)
e.g., Passionate about cybersecurity and AI
03. Goal (Where)
e.g., Seeking summer internship 2026
Final Polish (Combined Bio):
Phase 2: Visual Curation
The Profile Image
Select an existing photo or describe a photo you should take for your professional profiles. Consider lighting, background, and attire.
Draw or describe your professional headshot here.
The "Vibe" Check
What are 3 adjectives you want a stranger to think of when they see your LinkedIn profile?
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2
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Phase 3: Strategic Posting
Identify 3 professional milestones or interests you could post about in the next year to build your brand.
Milestone 01
Milestone 02
Milestone 03 Cyber Defense Slides 01010110 10101001 01101010 11010101 00101010 10101111 01010101 01101010 10101011 01010101
11010101 00101010 10101111 01010101 01101010 10101011 01010101 01010110 10101001 01101010
Security Clearance Required
Cyber Defense
Protocol
Defending your identity in an age of sophisticated threats.
Anatomy of a Phish
From: Office of Financial Aid admin@edu-portal-secure.com URGENT
Action Required: Scholarship Disbursement Pending
Dear Student, Your $1,200 spring semester scholarship has been approved. To avoid forfeiture of funds, please confirm your banking details at the secure portal below within 24 hours.
ACCESS SECURE PORTAL
Urgency
"Confirm within 24 hours" is a classic social engineering trick.
Mismatched Link
edu-portal-secure.com looks official, but is it your school's domain?
Generic Greeting
"Dear Student" instead of your specific name.
Threat Assessment
Identity Theft
Sophisticated tuition scams, fake job offers, and credit card "validation" schemes targeting young adults.
Doxxing
The malicious publication of private info (address, phone) intended to incite harassment or physical danger.
Compromise
Credential stuffing: using a leaked password from one site to break into your banking or social accounts.
Crisis
Response
If you are attacked, panicked decisions make it worse. Follow the 3-Step Protocol :
01
Contain & Lock
02
Document & Screenshot
03
Report & Reset
Essential Shields
2FA: Enable for EVERY email and social account.PW Manager: Unique passwords for every site.Review Apps: Revoke access for old apps/quizzes.Check Pwnage: Search haveibeenpwned.com. Cyber Defense Protocol Worksheet Cyber Defense Protocol
Personal Security Audit & Crisis Simulation
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/STUDENT
REF ID: CDP-5-2026
Operator:
Date:
Phase 1: Personal Shield Checklist
Check off each item as you complete or verify it on your own devices.
Level 1: Credential Security
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enabled for Primary Email and Social Media accounts.
Password Manager Deployment
All passwords are unique (no reused passwords across sites).
Level 2: Privacy Optimization
App Permission Review
Revoked access for unused apps, quizzes, and old websites.
Emergency Contact Link
Account recovery email/phone is up-to-date and separate.
Phase 2: Crisis Response Simulation
SCENARIO A: The Credentials Leak
PRIORITY: HIGH
"You receive an alert from Google saying someone in another country just successfully logged into your email. You realize you use the same password for your bank account and your Instagram."
Immediate Counter-Measure (First 60 seconds):
Secondary Security Steps (Next 10 minutes):
SCENARIO B: The Doxxing Incident
PRIORITY: CRITICAL
"You get into a heated debate on X (Twitter). An hour later, a stranger replies with your home address, your parents' cell phone numbers, and a picture of your house from Google Street View."
Platform Response (Reporting/Blocking):
Real-World Safety Plan:
SCENARIO C: The Fake Recruiter
PRIORITY: MEDIUM
"You get a DM on LinkedIn from a 'Recruiter' at a dream company. They offer you a remote job and ask for your Social Security Number and a copy of your ID to 'process the contract' before the interview."
Verification Steps (How to spot the scam):
Professional Response (Or lack thereof):
