Curriculum

Safety and Security Online: Grades 6-8

Private and Personal Information

Download Student Sheet(s) for printout in PDF format.

Read a Letter to Educators about Internet safety and security from CyberSmart!

Overview

Students learn they can converse and share ideas and opinions with others in cyberspace. They adopt a critical thinking process that empowers them to protect themselves and their families as they visit sites requesting private identity information.

Objectives

Give examples of the kinds of information Web sites request before allowing visitors to participate in an online activity.
Define identity theft.
Distinguish between private identity information and personal information.
Recall that private identity information should not be communicated in cyberspace without permission of a teacher, parent, or guardian.

ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students © 2007

Source: International Society for Technology in Education

Creativity and Innovation
1. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
Digital Citizenship
1. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
2. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.

Home Connection

Download the Home Connection sheet related to this lesson.

Site Preview

Online computer access to the following Web sites is required for Teach 1 and Extend.

An optional strategy for using Web 2.0 tools with your students is recommended under Teach 4.

Materials

Activity Sheets (2)
magazines
scissors
drawing paper
glue

Introduce

Have students share their familiarity with Web sites that request user information before allowing them to participate in an online activity. Point out that everyone should stop and consider how providing such information may affect individual and family privacy and safety.

Teach 1

Have students go to www.becybersmart.org or www.cybersmartcurriculum.org, click on Student Links, and then click on the diamond. Tell them to find the title of this lesson and its links.
Ask students to point out the kinds of information requested in order to participate in each Web site community. Explain that when they get to such a page, they should stop and consider whether providing the information requested will reveal private identity information.

Teach 2

Distribute Activity Sheets 1 and 2
Have students read A Great Place to Share Ideas and discuss the Web sites they enjoy frequenting. Don't be surprised if many middle school students admit having social networking profiles on sites that require them to be at least 14 years old.
When students read the second section, Private Identity Information, allow them to discuss their answers to “Am I giving out information that I should keep private?” Explain that it is often safe to give out some information, but that they should always ask their parent or guardian before doing so. NOTE: The latest research indicates that young adolescents can be the target of adults seeking offline sex, but the conventional wisdom that predators piece together private identity information in order to stalk young adolescents is unfounded. Researchers indicate that the riskiest behavior for teens is to engage in sexual talk or to share provocative photos with adults they meet online. This lesson tackles a broader reason for students not sharing private identity information—because of the risk of identity theft.
Have students read and discuss the section titled Identity Theft. Explain that it is never too early for students to learn about identity theft. Children and teens are targeted by identity thieves because they have a clean credit history and their parents are unlikely to be alert for signs that someone is using their child's identity. Students who learn about identity theft can also help protect their parents' identities online.

Teach 3

When students read the section titled Personal Information, make sure they understand the difference between personal information and private identity information by checking the additional examples they list on their activity sheets.

Teach 4: Take Action

Distribute old magazines, scissors, drawing paper, and glue. Have students complete Make a Collage. Point out that this is the thought process they can use when they are old enough to create social networking profiles.
Collect the collages and display them in your classroom.

As an alternative to making collages, use social networking Web 2.0 tools that allow students to practice creating their own profiles within a protected class network.

Assess

The following items assess student mastery of the lesson objectives.

Ask: What are some examples of Web sites where you must provide information about yourself in order to participate? (game sites, social networking sites, video-sharing sites, youth discussion sites, ask an expert sites, and so on)
Ask: What is identity theft? (when criminals use other people's private identity information in order to get drivers' licenses and credit cards)
Ask: How do private identity information and personal information differ? (Private identity information is information about a person that should be kept private—such as a Social Security number—so that identity thieves cannot use it. Personal information is information that cannot be used by identity thieves—such as a favorite food.
Ask: What would be a good rule for kids about giving private identity information online? (It should not be communicated online without permission of a teacher, parent, or guardian.)

Extend

The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson in a previous grade.

Direct students to find examples of additional Web sites for students their age that request information about them. Have students classify the information requested as private identity information or personal information. Students may report their site findings and classifications to the class.

Cyber Safety and Security Awareness Activities for Your School, Families, and Community

Extend this classroom lesson with activities that will support a cyber safety and security awareness campaign for your school, families, and community.

includes strategies for using interactive online Web 2.0 tools.

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