Student learning · Grades 6–8, Grades 9–12 · 50 minutes
My Digital Safety Plan
Students work through real-world sharing dilemmas, audit account security and privacy habits, and write a personal safety plan they explain to a family member.
Staying safe online isn't one rule; it's a set of habits: strong, unique passphrases, two-step login, careful privacy settings, thinking before posting, and knowing what not to type into an AI chatbot. Students discuss eight "What would you do?" scenarios, audit their own habits with a checklist (no one has to reveal any account details), and write a personal Digital Safety Plan. Students who don't have accounts yet plan for a family device, a school account, or their first account.
In this packet
- Handout A: What Would You Do? Scenario Cards (cut-apart cards)
- Handout B: Safety Habits Audit (checklist)
- Handout C: My Digital Safety Plan (worksheet)
- Facilitator key (last page)
TCEA ELE indicators
- S2.1 I know how to protect my personal information online.
- S2.3 I am aware of the potential risks of sharing content online.
- S1.2 I can adapt to new digital tools and platforms.
- S4.1 I know how to take responsibility for my own learning.
- T2.2 I know how to guide students in safe and responsible internet use.
Full facilitator guide: mglearn.github.io/eles/activities/my-digital-safety-plan.html
Handout A for My Digital Safety Plan
What Would You Do? Scenario Cards
Cut apart. Pairs discuss each card and agree on an action before reading the back. Print the backs separately as a key.
Card 1 · The team photo
Your soccer team won the tournament! You want to post a photo of everyone in uniform in front of your school sign, with the caption "Home after practice every day at 4!"
Card 2 · The quiz
A fun quiz goes around: "Your superhero name = your first pet's name + the street you grew up on!" Everyone is posting their answers in the comments.
Card 3 · Shared password
Your best friend asks for your game password so they can level up your character while you're on vacation. "I'd never do anything bad, I promise!"
Card 4 · Same password everywhere
You use the same password for your game, your email, and your school account because it's easy to remember.
Card 5 · Location on
You notice your photo app has been tagging your location on every picture, including ones taken in your bedroom.
Card 6 · The login code
You get a text with a six-digit login code you didn't request. A minute later, someone messages: "Oops, I sent my code to your number. Can you forward it?"
Card 7 · The AI chatbot
Your class is allowed to use an AI chatbot for brainstorming. You want better help on a personal essay, so you think about pasting in your full name, address, and a story about a family conflict.
Card 8 · The screenshot
Someone in a group chat shares a screenshot of a private message a classmate sent them, and people start making fun of it.
Handout B for My Digital Safety Plan
Safety Habits Audit
This is private and for you. Don't write any usernames or passwords. No accounts yet? Answer for a family device or your school account.
| Yes | Partly | No | Not sure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I use a different password or passphrase for each account. | ||||
| My passwords are long (several words), not a name, birthday, or pet. | ||||
| Two-step login is turned on wherever it's offered. | ||||
| I've checked who can see my profile and posts. | ||||
| Location sharing is off for apps that don't need it. | ||||
| I've reviewed which apps can use my camera, microphone, and contacts. | ||||
| I log out of shared or school computers when I'm done. | ||||
| I don't share login codes, even with friends. | ||||
| I ask before posting photos of other people. | ||||
| I leave personal details out of anything I type into an AI tool. | ||||
| I know which adult I'd tell if an account got hacked or something online upset me. | ||||
| I think "would I be okay if this were shared?" before sending. |
Notes
Handout C for My Digital Safety Plan
My Digital Safety Plan
Write a plan you'll actually follow. Never write a real password here.
My passphrase strategy (how I'll make and store strong, different passwords, without writing any of them):
Where I'll turn on two-step login first, and why:
Three settings I'll check on any new app or platform:
My sharing rule for posts, photos, and messages (including photos of other people):
My rule for what I will and won't type into an AI tool:
If something goes wrong (a hacked account, a scary message, a post I regret), I will…
Partner's "I'd add…" suggestion, and the line I revised:
Home step: I explained my plan to ___. Together we checked ___ and changed ___.
Facilitator only for My Digital Safety Plan
Answer key and notes
Handout A: What Would You Do? Scenario Cards
- Card 1 · The team photo
- Celebrate, but think about what the photo reveals: the school name, your schedule, and teammates' faces. Ask teammates before posting them, crop out the sign, and drop the schedule. Public pride, private details.
- Card 2 · The quiz
- Those are common security-question answers. Posting them publicly can help someone break into accounts. Enjoy the joke without posting real answers.
- Card 3 · Shared password
- Friendships change, and a shared password can be passed on or used by accident. Keep passwords private (a parent or guardian is the exception). If you already shared, change it.
- Card 4 · Same password everywhere
- If one site is breached, attackers try that password everywhere. Use a different passphrase for each account, stored in a password manager or a list kept safe at home with an adult.
- Card 5 · Location on
- Location data can reveal where you live and spend time. Turn off location for the camera or strip it before sharing, and check which apps can see your location.
- Card 6 · The login code
- Someone is trying to get into your account. Never forward a code. Change your password, make sure two-step login is on, and tell an adult.
- Card 7 · The AI chatbot
- Treat anything you type into an AI tool as something that could be stored or seen by others. Leave out names, addresses, and private family details. Describe the situation in general terms instead. Under 13? Your teacher runs the tool for you.
- Card 8 · The screenshot
- Anything you send can be screenshotted and shared. Don't add to it; support the classmate and report it to a trusted adult. Before you send something, ask: would I be okay if this were shared?