Digital Citizenship
Cybersmart topic area
Digital citizenship
Target age group
Lesson duration
Middle Primary
Lesson Overview
In today’s 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 person’s ‘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
Drawing/Writing
4
Digital footprint
Activity 2
Page
Subject focus
Multiple Choice
Activity
5
Making safe,
responsible,
informed choices
online
Activity 3
Page
Subject focus
Word search
8
Words and concepts
essential to digital
citizenship
Activity 4
Page
Subject focus
Research Activity/
9
Privacy
Discussion
Activity
Duration
Resources required
Blank paper, pens, crayons etc.
Duration
Resources required
Worksheet 1, pen
Duration
Resources required
Worksheet 2, pen
Duration
Resources required
Internet access to the Cybersmart website
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/
cybersmart@acma.gov.au
Digital Citizenship
External links included in lesson
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/
Technology and Terminology referred to in this lesson
Internet, post, download, sites, social networking, cyberbullying, online
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 http://cybersmart.acma.gov.au/About Cybersmart/Legal.aspx for more information.
2
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Digital Citizenship
Background
The Cybersmart Citizens lesson plans focus on digital citizenship.
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 ACMA has developed a Cybersmart Citizens Guide which outlines 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 don’t.
For more information about the ACMA’s Cybersmart Citizens Guide see the Cybersmart
website: www.cybersmart.gov.au/cybersmart-citizens.aspx
Digital Citizenship
4
Activity 1: Digital footprint
Activity 1
Page
Subject focus
Drawing/Writing
4
Digital footprint
Duration
Resources required
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.
Teacher’s 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.
Teacher’s 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
5
Activity 2: Digital citizenship test
Activity 2
Page
Subject focus
Multiple choice
activity
5
Making safe,
responsible,
informed choices
online
Duration
Resources required
Worksheet 1
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
sharing things about myself online.
C: Even the most careful online user can never
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 friend’s name
and post things pretending to be
them as a joke.
C: Pretending to be as someone else online or
using their passwords to buy things or say
things online is identity theft. It can cause
serious problems and is never a joke.
Digital Citizenship
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Number Question
Answer
4
When going online at school, it is
important to know:
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.
5
When I say something online in
class or at home, I should:
B: Sometimes it’s 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.
6
How long I spend online:
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. It’s
important to get the right balance to keep
yourself healthy and keep enjoying your time
online.
7
Giving private information to
strangers or companies online is:
C: Giving private information out to strangers
online is never OK. It’s 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. It’s
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
bullied online:
C: Bullying online, often called cyberbullying, is
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 don’t
want to get involved. It’s important to act
responsibly as a bystander and help the person
being bullied. If you can’t 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 I’m allowed to buy or download
things online:
C: It’s important to check with your parents
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 won’t understand the technology.
Digital Citizenship
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Activity 3: Digital citizenship word search
Activity 3
Page
Subject focus
Word search
8
Words and concepts
essential to digital
citizenship
Duration
Resources required
Worksheet 2, pen
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.
Teacher’s Tip: Use the word search words as discussion starters on why those concepts
or attributes are important.
Solution
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APPROPRIATE(5,9,E)
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ASK(5,11,W)
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CONSIDERATE(2,11,NE)
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FRIEND(3,6,NE)
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HELP(7,10,W)
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INCLUSIVE(2,9,N)
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INFORMED(15,8,N)
KINDNESS(10,1,SW)
LEARN(12,3,SW)
PASSWORD(13,1,S)
POSITIVE(14,1,S)
PRIVACY(4,13,E)
QUESTION(12,8,NW)
RESPECT(15,10,W)
RESPONSIBLE(1,15,N)
SAFE(11,8,W)
SECURE(4,2,SE)
THINK(9,15,NE)
TRUST(3,5,N)
Digital Citizenship
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Activity 4: Privacy
Activity 4
Page
Subject focus
Research Activity/
9
Privacy
Duration
Discussion
Activity
Resources required
Internet access to the Cybersmart website
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/
Worksheet 3, pen.
Instructions
1. Begin with a brief discussion about privacy online.
2. Distribute Worksheet 3.
3. Access the Cybersmart website (Kids Section) 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:
It’s 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)
Don’t send picture messages to ___________________________ .(people you don’t 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.
b.
c.
d.
Not at all – thinking takes too much time!
Sometimes, but only if I think I’ll get in trouble.
Always, because the information I share is never private online.
Sometimes, because privacy is only important sometimes.
2. Sometimes I share passwords with my friends:
a.
b.
c.
d.
It’s OK to share passwords with friends if we never fight and I trust them.
It’s never OK to share my passwords with anyone except my parents.
I only share my password with my best friend.
My password is just my name, so anyone can guess it anyway.
3. Sometimes I use my friend’s name and post things pretending to be them as a joke:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Yes, a joke is a joke, and I can pretend to be my friend for fun!
No, but I probably would if I could figure out their password!
Never, it’s called identity theft and can cause big problems for both of us.
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.
b.
c.
d.
The agreed rules for going online at school.
How to work well with others and get the most out of using the internet.
How to choose and use the right language so I don’t upset anyone or get into trouble.
All of the above.
5. When I say something online in class or at home, I should:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Say whatever I want.
Ask a teacher or parent about what’s OK to say online.
Use a fake name if I want to say anything hurtful.
Do whatever everyone else is doing – if it’s fine for everyone, it’s fine for me.
6. How long I spend online:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Can affect my health if it’s too many hours a day.
Can affect how I sleep.
Can help me learn about the world and help me with homework.
All of the above.
Digital Citizenship
7. Giving private information to strangers or companies online is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
No problem if I think they look like good people or companies.
Nothing to worry about if I know they don’t live near me.
Never OK, no matter what the circumstances are.
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 don’t want to be the next!
b. Ignore it if I don’t like who’s 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.
b.
c.
d.
Always – it’s important to treat others well online.
Yes, being positive is a good habit to get into.
Yes, even though I sometimes have to think carefully to make sure I say the right thing.
All of the above.
10. If I’m allowed to buy or download things online:
a. I don’t bother checking with my parents, they don’t 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 it’s good or not.
WORKSHEET 2: WHAT MAKES A GOOD DIGITAL CITIZEN?
Name: ____________________________________________________
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WORKSHEET 3: PRIVACY
Name: ____________________________________________________
It’s 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.
Don’t send picture messages to ___________________________.
Avoid posting personal information such as your __________, _________, _________ or ________.