Computer Science
Grade 9
20 min
Digital Privacy: Protecting Personal Information Online
Students will learn about digital privacy and how to protect their personal information online.
What you'll learn
- Identify at least three different types of personal information that should be protected online and provide a specific example for each.
- Explain in their own words at least two strategies for creating strong passwords and why they are effective in preventing unauthorized access to online accounts.
- Apply privacy settings on a simulated social media platform to limit the visibility of a post to a specific group of friends.
- Analyze a given scenario of online phishing and identify at least three red flags that indicate it is a scam.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and provide at least five examples.
Analyze a social media profile or post to identify at least three potential privacy risks.
Explain the concept of a digital footprint and its long-term implications.
Evaluate the permission requests of a mobile app using the principle of data minimization.
Apply the 'THINK' framework to decide whether a piece of information is appropriate to share online.
Describe three methods for strengthening online account security, such as strong passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
Ever wonder what happens to your data after you click 'I Agree' on a new app? 🤔 Let's investigate the secrets behind the screen!
This lesson explores the critical topic...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Personal Identifiable Information (PII)Any data that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person.Your full name, home address, email, phone number, date of birth, or a photo of your face.
Digital FootprintThe trail of data you create while using the Internet. It includes the websites you visit, emails you send, and information you submit to online services.A photo you posted on Instagram years ago, a comment on a YouTube video, and your search history all contribute to your permanent digital footprint.
Privacy PolicyA legal document from a service provider that explains how they gather, use, disclose, and manage a user's data.Before signing up for a social media app, you must agree to its Privacy Policy, which...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The THINK Framework for Posting
Before posting, ask: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?
Use this as a mental checklist before sharing content online. It helps you consider the impact and appropriateness of your digital communication, protecting both your reputation and the privacy of yourself and others.
The Principle of Data Minimization
Share(data) only if is_necessary(data) == True
This is a core privacy principle. Only provide the absolute minimum amount of personal information required for any given service. Always question why a service needs certain data before you provide it.
The Strong Password Formula
StrongPassword = Length(>=12) + Mix(Upper, Lower, Num, Symbol) + Uniqueness(NotReused)
Create strong, unique password...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
You receive an email with the subject 'URGENT: Your Account is Suspended!' from what appears to be your bank. It says you must click a link and enter your login details and social security number immediately to reactivate your account. Which combination of concepts from the tutorial best explains this threat and the correct response?
A.This is a Privacy Policy update; you should click the link to agree to the new terms.
B.This is a phishing attack; you should ignore the email and report it, as it violates the principle of data minimization by asking for unnecessary information via an insecure channel.
C.This is a 2FA request; you should provide the information to prove your identity.
D.This is part of your digital footprint; responding will help the bank verify your identity for future logins.
Challenging
A friend wants to post a group photo from a party. In the background, another student is clearly visible and is upset about something. Your friend thinks the photo is great and wants to post it anyway. Applying the THINK framework, what is the most compelling ethical reason to advise against posting?
A.It might not be True, as the photo could be edited.
B.It is not Necessary to share this specific photo online.
C.It is not Inspiring because the photo quality is low.
D.It is not Kind or Helpful to the visibly upset student, potentially creating a negative and permanent digital footprint for them without their consent.
Challenging
You are setting up a new gaming account and need to create a security profile. Based on the tutorial, which of the following represents the most secure and comprehensive setup?
A.Use a very long, memorable password like 'ThisIsMySuperLongGamingPassword1' and save it in your browser.
B.Use a short, easy-to-type password for quick logins, but enable 2FA using your phone number.
C.Use a password manager to generate a unique, 16-character random password (e.g., '8#kZ!qP&wR$vG2fT') and enable 2FA using an authenticator app.
D.Use the same strong password you use for your email to ensure you never forget it, and set up a security question.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Digital Privacy: Protecting Personal Information Online"?
Digital Privacy: Protecting Personal Information Online is a Grade 9 Computer Science lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Digital Privacy: Protecting Personal Information Online?
You'll be able to: Identify at least three different types of personal information that should be protected online and provide a specific example for each; Explain in their own words at least two strategies for creating strong passwords and why….
Is "Digital Privacy: Protecting Personal Information Online" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Digital Privacy: Protecting Personal Information Online?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.