Digital Citizenship

Topic area

Digital citizenship
Target age group Lesson duration

Middle Primary

Lesson Overview
In todays rapidly evolving digital environment, students often find themselves becoming digital citizens the
moment they begin using digital technologies, such as signing up for an email address, using the internet
and mobile phones. In acknowledging themselves to be digital citizens from the beginning of their use of
technology, young students should come to recognise the importance of protecting their private
information online, the value of taking responsibility for themselves and their actions, and the necessity of
treating others with an appropriate standard of behaviour online.
This lesson includes four short activities. Teachers can select a single activity or multiple activities to make
up the recommended 45 minutes, depending on what they feel is appropriate to their class.
Lesson outcomes
Describe the importance of a persons digital footprint online
Demonstrate safe behaviours regarding passwords and privacy online
Define who to trust about choices and activities online
Identify positive and negative social behaviours online

Australian Curriculum
This lesson plan module supports a number of learning areas in the Australian Curriculum, including
Health and Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship and Technologies.

Activity 1 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required

Drawing/Writing 4 Digital footprint Blank paper, pens, crayons etc.

Activity 2 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required

Multiple Choice 5 Making safe, Worksheet 1, pen
Activity responsible,
informed choices
online
Activity 3 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required
Word search 8 Words and concepts Worksheet 2, pen
essential to digital
citizenship

Activity 4 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required

Research Activity/ 9 Privacy Internet access to the Office of the
Discussion Childrens eSafety Commissioners
website:
Activity
https://www.esafety.gov.au/

enquiries@esafety.gov.au
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External links included in lesson

https://www.esafety.gov.au/
Technology and Terminology referred to in this lesson
Internet, post, download, sites, social networking, cyberbullying, online
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3

This work is based on materials that constitute copyright of the Commonwealth of Australia and is
licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 2.5 Australia Licence.
See https://esafety.gov.au/about-the-office/privacy-and-legal for more information.
 4

Digital Citizenship
Background
The Digital Citizenship lesson plans focus on positive engagement with digital technology.
Who is a digital citizen? Everyone online is a digital citizen! The concept of digital citizenship is
crucial to students learning about technology - understanding the opportunities presented by the
online world, learning how to minimise associated risks, and developing awareness of the impact
of individual footprints online.
Engaged digital citizens recognise that upsetting behaviours such as bullying can contribute to
negative experiences and longer term consequences.
Acting with consideration, resilience and self-awareness in digital landscapes includes respecting
other participants and recognising the value of personal privacy.
It is important to empower younger internet users with the knowledge of how their reputations can
be affected by their interactions online, what language and actions are considered appropriate
online, and to give them practical strategies to avoid participating in negative online behaviours.
The digital citizenship principles outline how to become a better digital citizen:
1. Know your online world: be curious, learn new things and but be aware of risks and how to
protect yourself.
2. Choose consciously: think before you act - the choices you make online can last forever.
3. Engage positively: what you say and do online can affect everyone! Avoid bullying,
harassment and online abuse and learn how to take positive steps if others dont.
For more information about the digital citizenship principles see the Office of the Childrens
eSafety Commissioners website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/classroom-
resources/digital-citizenship.
Digital Citizenship
5

Activity 1: Digital footprint

Activity 1 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required
Drawing/Writing 4 Digital footprint Blank paper, pens or crayons etc.

Instructions
1. Distribute two blank sheets of paper to each student
2. Have students place the paper on the ground and trace their right foot.
3. Ask students to write their full name at the top of the drawing so it is clearly identified as
theirs.
4. In the blank space inside the foot outline, ask students to write all the things they would like to
be and want known about them. These might include values; such as good, kind, helpful,
brave, a good friend, or aspirations for their futures; such as doctor, animal trainer or artist.
Teachers Tip: Allow ample time to focus on the positive aspects of reputation and how
your students would like to be perceived.
5. With the other sheet of paper, have students trace their left foot and also title this with their full
name.
6. In the blank space inside the left foot outline, ask students to consider and record - what do
you not want known? The focus on here is on privacy as well as reputation, so lead your class
to answers which include their home address, name of school, phone number and other
identifying details.
Teachers Tip: Place the footprints around the classroom in order to keep the message alive.
Remind students that our digital footprints can be followed, just like real footprints.
Digital Citizenship
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Activity 2: Digital citizenship test

Activity 2 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required
Multiple choice 5 Making safe, Worksheet 1
activity responsible,
informed choices
online

This activity requires students to complete a multiple choice test modelled on the Australian
citizenship test. The test focusses on the ways in which good digital citizens think and choose
before acting online.
When becoming a citizen of a country, people must first pass a test designed to ensure that they
understand both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Being a good digital citizen means understanding what you are entitled to and what you are
responsible for in an online environment.

Instructions
1. Distribute Worksheet 1 directly to all students
2. Allow ten minutes for students to read through the test and record their answers
3. Working through the test as a class, discuss the answers schedule.

Answer key and notes for teachers:

Number Question Answer

1 I should stop and THINK before C: Even the most careful online user can never
sharing things about myself online. be sure of privacy. Treat everything you share as
if it would eventually be made public, and always
think before risking your privacy.

2 Sometimes I share passwords with
my friends.
B: Passwords are needed for almost everything
we do online. Keeping track of them is not
always easy but is extremely important. Change
them regularly and never share them with
anyone except your parents, not even your
closest friends. In fact, sharing passwords may
cause serious problems between friends and in
friendship groups.

3 Sometimes I use my friends name C: Pretending to be as someone else online or

and post things pretending to be using their passwords to buy things or say things
them as a joke. online is identity theft. It can cause serious
problems and is never a joke.
Digital Citizenship
Number Question
4 When going online at school, it is
important to know:
5 When I say something online in
class or at home, I should:
6 How long I spend online:
7 Giving private information to
strangers or companies online is:
7
Answer
D: Going online at school is a great way to
extend learning beyond the classroom. To get
the most out of it, you need to learn the rules
about how to be responsible and respectful
towards yourself, your classmates, and your
school.
B: Sometimes its hard to remember that what
we say and do online is permanent and there for
everyone to see. This means that using bad or
negative language, even as a joke might be
much stronger than when spoken aloud. The
same goes for images you create. To avoid
trouble, simply ask a teacher or parent about
some of their expectations for your behaviour
online, and always stop and think before you
post.
D: Spending time online is fun, entertaining and
can help you learn. However, too much time
online can have serious negative effects that
you may have noticed occasionally, such as
disrupting your sleep, causing bad or sad
feelings, and affecting your physical fitness. Its
important to get the right balance to keep
yourself healthy and keep enjoying your time
online.
C: Giving private information out to strangers
online is never OK. Its impossible to tell who
someone really is online, and there are many
reasons that people may try to get personal
information about you or your family online. Its
important to protect details about your identity,
your school, your family, and your address.
There are lots of ways to make friends and
interact online without needing to reveal private
information.
Digital Citizenship
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Number Question Answer

8 If I can tell someone is being C: Bullying online, often called cyberbullying, is

bullied online: complicated. Some of us may have experienced
being bullied, and some may have even bullied
others. In many cases of bullying there are
bystanders who witness the bullying but dont
want to get involved. Its important to act
responsibly as a bystander and help the person
being bullied. If you cant help easily on your
own by using calm, positive words, do report it
right away to a teacher or parent.

9 I try to be positive and helpful
online:
D: Being helpful, using positive language and
trying to include others is what we can do every
day to be good digital citizens. It makes time
spent online better for everyone, including
yourself.

10 If Im allowed to buy or download C: Its important to check with your parents

things online: before buying or downloading things online,
even if you are allowed to. There are a lot of
scams and tricks online as well as great stuff,
and your parents know more about that, even if
you think they wont understand the technology.
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Activity 3: Digital citizenship word search

Activity 3 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required
Word search 8 Words and concepts Worksheet 2, pen
essential to digital
citizenship

Instructions
Distribute Worksheet 2 and allow students sufficient time (around 10 minutes) to fill them out.
The words to be searched for are: respect, privacy, think, password, safe, help, friend, positive,
kindness, considerate, learn, ask, question, appropriate, inclusive, trust, secure, responsible,
informed.
Teachers Tip: Use the word search words as discussion starters on why those concepts
or attributes are important.

Solution
- E T - N - - D - K - E P P D (OVER,DOWN,DIRECTION)
- V S S - O N - I - T - A O E APPROPRIATE(5,9,E)
- I U - E E I N - A - L S S M ASK(5,11,W)

- S R - I C D T R - E - S I R CONSIDERATE(2,11,NE)

E U T R - N U E S A - - W T O FRIEND(3,6,NE)

L L F - E - D R R E - - O I F HELP(7,10,W)

B C - S - I - N E - U - R V N INCLUSIVE(2,9,N)
INFORMED(15,8,N)
I N S - S - - E F A S Q D E I
KINDNESS(10,1,SW)
S I - N A P P R O P R I A T E
LEARN(12,3,SW)
N - O P L E H - T C E P S E R
PASSWORD(13,1,S)
O C K S A - - - - - - - K - -
POSITIVE(14,1,S)
P - - - - - - - - - - N - - -
PRIVACY(4,13,E)
S - - P R I V A C Y I - - - -
QUESTION(12,8,NW)
E - - - - - - - - H - - - - -
RESPECT(15,10,W)
R - - - - - - - T - - - - - -
RESPONSIBLE(1,15,N)
SAFE(11,8,W)
SECURE(4,2,SE)
THINK(9,15,NE)
TRUST(3,5,N)
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Activity 4: Privacy
Activity 4 Page Subject focus Duration Resources required
Research Activity/ 9 Privacy Internet access to the Office of the
Discussion Childrens eSafety Commissioners
website:
Activity
https://www.esafety.gov.au/
Worksheet 3, pen.

Instructions
1. Begin with a brief discussion about privacy online.
2. Distribute Worksheet 3.
3. Access the Office of the Childrens eSafety Commissioners website (eSafety information
section dealing with social networking) as a class or in small groups, and ask students to use
the site to research answers to the following questions:

Answer key for teachers:

Its always best to use a ________________________ when you are using gaming sites. (nickname)

Set your profile to ________________________________ so only your friends can see it. (private)

Only share your _______________________ with your parents never with your friends. (password)

Having too many online _____________ makes it harder to manage who can access your information.
(friends)

Dont send picture messages to ___________________________ .(people you dont know in the real
world).

Avoid posting personal information such as your __________, _________, _________ or ________. (full
name, address, mobile number or school).
 WORKSHEET 1: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP TEST

1. I should stop and THINK before sharing things about myself online:

a. Not at all thinking takes too much time!

b. Sometimes, but only if I think Ill get in trouble.
c. Always, because the information I share is never private online.
d. Sometimes, because privacy is only important sometimes.

2. Sometimes I share passwords with my friends:

a. Its OK to share passwords with friends if we never fight and I trust them.
b. Its never OK to share my passwords with anyone except my parents.
c. I only share my password with my best friend.
d. My password is just my name, so anyone can guess it anyway.

3. Sometimes I use my friends name and post things pretending to be them as a joke:

a. Yes, a joke is a joke, and I can pretend to be my friend for fun!

b. No, but I probably would if I could figure out their password!
c. Never, its called identity theft and can cause big problems for both of us.
d. Yes, because I only go online for fun and so do my friends.

4. When going online at school, it is important to know:

a. The agreed rules for going online at school.

b. How to work well with others and get the most out of using the internet.
c. How to choose and use the right language so I dont upset anyone or get into trouble.
d. All of the above.

5. When I say something online in class or at home, I should:

a. Say whatever I want.

b. Ask a teacher or parent about whats OK to say online.
c. Use a fake name if I want to say anything hurtful.
d. Do whatever everyone else is doing if its fine for everyone, its fine for me.

6. How long I spend online:

a. Can affect my health if its too many hours a day.

b. Can affect how I sleep.
c. Can help me learn about the world and help me with homework.
d. All of the above.
Digital Citizenship

7. Giving private information to strangers or companies online is:

a. No problem if I think they look like good people or companies.

b. Nothing to worry about if I know they dont live near me.
c. Never OK, no matter what the circumstances are.
d. Always OK; I have nothing to hide.

8. If I can tell someone is being bullied online:

a. I should just stay away from it I dont want to be the next!

b. Ignore it if I dont like whos being bullied anyway.
c. Think about what it would feel like if it was happening to me or my best friend and get
help.
d. Why does it matter? A bit of bullying toughens you up.

9. I try to be positive and helpful online:

a. Always its important to treat others well online.

b. Yes, being positive is a good habit to get into.
c. Yes, even though I sometimes have to think carefully to make sure I say the right thing.
d. All of the above.

10. If Im allowed to buy or download things online:

a. I dont bother checking with my parents, they dont understand!

b. I check with my friends to see if something is good.
c. I check with my parents each time because there are scams and tricks online as well as
great stuff.
d. I use my instinct to tell if its good or not.
 WORKSHEET 2: WHAT MAKES A GOOD DIGITAL CITIZEN?

Name: ____________________________________________________

R E T P N Z S D Q K N E P P D

E V S S U O N X I O T Q A O E

M I U K E E I N G A D L S S M

R S R I I C D T R K E E S I R

E U T R J N U E S A Z I W T O

L L F V E F D R R E C H O I F

B C N S X I D N E A U Y R V N

I N S Y S E S E F A S Q D E I

S I R N A P P R O P R I A T E

N R O P L E H T T C E P S E R

O C K S A D K O Z A D Q K H R

P X L U W K U L C K F N F T O

S L N P R I V A C Y I Z Q E X

E M Q A Z O O W T H S E H X A

R Z M Q J U B M T G Y M T I N

APPROPRIATE ASK CONSIDERATE

FRIEND HELP INCLUSIVE
INFORMED KINDNESS LEARN
PASSWORD POSITIVE PRIVACY
QUESTION RESPECT RESPONSIBLE
SAFE SECURE THINK
TRUST
WORKSHEET 3: PRIVACY
Name: ____________________________________________________

Its always best to use a ________________________ when you are using gaming sites.

Set your profile to ________________________________ so only your friends can see it.

Only share your _______________________ with your parents never with your friends.

Having too many online ________________________ makes it harder to manage who can
access your information.

Dont send picture messages to ___________________________.

Avoid posting personal information such as your __________, _________, _________ or

________.