See full curriculum
Grade 8

Social Media and Digital Footprints: Our Responsibilities

How does using social media affect our digital footprints?

Social media can be a place to connect, learn, and, most of all, share. But how much do kids know about what they're sharing -- and not just about themselves but each other? Help students think critically about their digital footprints on social media.

See the U.K. version of this lesson plan

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify reasons for using social media and the challenges that often come along with it.

  • Reflect on the responsibilities they have that are related to digital footprints -- both their own and others' -- when they're using social media.

  • Identify ways to make the most of social media while still caring for the digital footprints of themselves and others.

Key Vocabulary: digital footprint   ·   oversharing  
digital footprint:
all of the information online about a person, either posted by that person or others, intentionally or unintentionally
oversharing:
sharing personal feelings, information, or experiences that later make someone feel uncomfortable or regretful
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
Don't have time for a full lesson?
15 mins.
This SEL activity helps students develop self-awareness in their digital lives.  Get the quick activity

Lesson Plan

50 mins.

What You'll Need

Blank paper
Select resources below, then open in English or Spanish. Unlock free resources

Classroom resources

Take-home resources

© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org
Lesson last updated: February 2023
EXPLORE MORE LESSONS FOR
Digital Footprint & Identity
Let's go!