Student learning · Grades 3–5 · 40 minutes
Digital Footprint Trail
Teams follow a trail of paper footprints left online by a fictional fourth grader, piece together what a stranger could learn about him, and plan the footprints they want to leave.
Every post, comment, photo, quiz answer, and chatbot message leaves a digital footprint, and footprints add up. In this walk-around mystery, teams follow twelve paper footprints left by Kai Morales, a fictional fourth grader. No single post seems like a big deal. Put together, they reveal Kai's school, street, house number, the hint to his password, and when he's home alone. The trail also includes footprints Kai can be proud of. Teams then give Kai a footprint makeover and plan their own trail, including what they will and won't type into AI tools.
In this packet
- Handout A: Kai's Footprint Cards (cut-apart cards)
- Handout B: Trail Log (organizer)
- Handout C: My Footprint Plan (worksheet)
- Facilitator key (last page)
TCEA ELE indicators
- S2.3 I am aware of the potential risks of sharing content online.
- S2.1 I know how to protect my personal information online.
- S4.3 I am aware of my learning strengths and areas for improvement.
- AI2.1 I know how to apply ethical principles when using or developing AI for education.
Full facilitator guide: mglearn.github.io/eles/activities/digital-footprint-trail.html
Handout A for Digital Footprint Trail
Kai's Footprint Cards
Tape each card to a paper footprint and post them in order. Kai Morales is a made-up fourth grader. The backs are the teacher key.
Sheet 1 of 2
Footprint 1 · Video
Kai posts a video: "First day of 4th grade!" The Cedar Ridge Elementary sign is right behind him.
Footprint 2 · Comment
On a game site Kai writes: "My dog Biscuit is the best. LOL my password is almost his name."
Footprint 3 · Photo
Kai shares a photo of his new bike in his driveway. The house number, 418, shows on the mailbox.
Footprint 4 · Post
Kai posts: "Home alone every Tuesday after school until 6!"
Footprint 5 · Comment
Kai comments on a classmate's drawing: "That's the worst drawing ever."
Footprint 6 · Photo
Kai shares a funny photo of his friend Tomas asleep on the bus, without asking Tomas.
Footprint 7 · Review
Kai writes a library book review: "This book about sharks was awesome. Chapter 3 is the best part!"
Footprint 8 · Video
Kai uploads a video showing how he built a marble run from cardboard tubes. His face and name are not in it.
Handout A for Digital Footprint Trail
Kai's Footprint Cards
Tape each card to a paper footprint and post them in order. Kai Morales is a made-up fourth grader. The backs are the teacher key.
Sheet 2 of 2
Footprint 9 · Quiz
Kai takes a free online quiz, "Which dinosaur are you?" It asks for his full name, birthday, and street name, and he types them all.
Footprint 10 · Chatbot
In a homework helper app, Kai types: "I'm Kai Morales, I'm 9, I live on Pecan Street, help me write about my family."
Footprint 11 · Deleted
The next day Kai feels bad and deletes the mean comment from Footprint 5. But a classmate, Rosa, had already taken a screenshot and shared it.
Footprint 12 · Post
Kai posts on the class page: "Thanks to everyone who brought cans to our food drive!"
Handout B for Digital Footprint Trail
Trail Log
At each footprint, fill in one row. On the back, write your team's makeover of two risky or hurtful footprints.
| Footprint # | What could someone learn? | Who might see it? | Helpful, risky, or hurtful? | A better choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 9 | ||||
| 10 | ||||
| 11 | ||||
| 12 |
Handout C for Digital Footprint Trail
My Footprint Plan
Plan the trail you want to leave. Remember the three P's: Pause, Picture your audience, Protect.
Draw a footprint I'd be proud to leave online (a project, a kind comment, a review, a video).
Two things I will NOT post or type into an app or chatbot:
If I leave a footprint I regret, I will…
Something I'm already good at online:
One habit I want to improve:
Family talk: Ask a grown-up, "What is one footprint you're proud of?" Their answer:
Facilitator only for Digital Footprint Trail
Answer key and notes
Handout A: Kai's Footprint Cards
- Footprint 1 · Video
- Reveals: his school and grade. Who might see: anyone the video is shared with. Risky. Better: film somewhere without the sign.
- Footprint 2 · Comment
- Reveals: pet's name AND a password hint. Risky. Passwords shouldn't be based on anything people can find out about you.
- Footprint 3 · Photo
- Reveals: his house number. Combined with the street from Footprint 9, someone could find his home. Risky. Better: crop it or take the photo in a park.
- Footprint 4 · Post
- Reveals: when he's alone. Risky. Schedules and "home alone" posts stay private.
- Footprint 5 · Comment
- Hurtful. Everyone who sees the drawing sees the comment, and it tells people how Kai treats others.
- Footprint 6 · Photo
- Hurtful and risky. It's Tomas's footprint too, and he didn't agree. Ask first.
- Footprint 7 · Review
- Helpful. It shares an opinion and helps other readers, with no private information.
- Footprint 8 · Video
- Helpful. It shows his creativity and teaches others, without private details.
- Footprint 9 · Quiz
- Risky. Quizzes can collect information. Now his street is out there. A fun quiz doesn't need your real details.
- Footprint 10 · Chatbot
- Risky. What you type into apps and chatbots may be saved. He could get the same help by leaving out his name and street.
- Footprint 11 · Deleted
- Deleting doesn't always erase a footprint. Screenshots and shares can keep it around. Pause before you post.
- Footprint 12 · Post
- Helpful. It shows kindness and community, with no private information.