Smart Surfing: Navigating the Digital World
This lesson empowers Year 8 students to navigate the complexities of the digital world. It covers digital footprints, the mechanics of social media influence, and practical steps for staying safe from scams and grooming, aligned with the UK PSHE Association guidelines for KS3.
Learning objectives
- Explain the long-term impact of a digital footprint on reputation and future opportunities.
- Identify the signs of online grooming and phishing scams.
- Critically evaluate how social media algorithms and persuasive design affect mental wellbeing.
- Demonstrate how to report concerns and use privacy settings effectively on major platforms.
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 5 min
Do Now: 'Agree or Disagree' cards. Students respond to statements like 'My data is private on Snapchat'.
Direct Instruction · 10 min
Teacher-led explainer: Digital footprints, privacy settings, and the 'Front Page' test.
Guided Practice · 10 min
Class Discussion: The psychology of social media (algorithms and dopamine).
Independent Practice · 20 min
Differentiated Worksheet Activity: Students work through Support, Core, or Stretch tasks.
Assessment · 10 min
Multiple Choice Quiz: Check for understanding of key safety concepts.
Closure · 5 min
Plenary: One thing to change today (e.g., check privacy settings).
Key vocabulary
- Digital Footprint
- The information about a particular person that exists on the internet as a result of their online activity.
- Phishing
- A scam where criminals send emails or messages pretending to be from a reputable company to induce individuals to reveal personal information.
- Algorithm
- A set of rules used by social media platforms to decide which content you see first based on your interests.
- Bystander
- A person who sees a negative situation (like bullying) but chooses not to get involved.
- Persuasive Design
- Features in apps like 'likes' or 'infinite scroll' designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible.
Core worksheet (first questions)
- Explain what 'online reputation' is and why it might matter when you apply for a job in 10 years.
- Describe the features of a 'strong' password. Why shouldn't you use the same one for everything?
- What is the difference between a 'bystander' and an 'upstander' in cyberbullying?
- What is a 'phishing' attack? List two signs that an email might be a scam.
Quiz (sample)
1. What is a 'Digital Footprint'?
- A. A permanent trail of data left by your online activity
- B. The number of steps you take while holding a phone
- C. A type of secure password technique
- D. A way to delete your history automatically
2. What is the best first step if you are being bullied online?
- A. Reply and tell them to stop
- B. Ignore it and hope it goes away
- C. Block the user and tell a trusted adult immediately
- D. Delete your account and start a new one
3. What is the primary goal of a social media algorithm?
- A. To help you find high-quality information
- B. To keep you on the app for as long as possible
- C. To ensure you only see the truth
- D. To protect your personal data from hackers
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