Digital Literacy · Grade 5 · Chapter 1
Digital Citizenship & Online Safety
Learning how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and kindly.
Learning Goals
What We'll Master Today
GOAL 1
Protect PII
Identify Personally Identifiable Information and keep it safe from strangers online.
GOAL 2
Smart Decisions
Recognize online traps, phishing scams, and fake free-item offers.
GOAL 3
Digital Footprint
Understand how online choices follow us and build a positive digital presence.
Connecting Prior Knowledge
Street Smart vs. Cyber Smart
In the physical world, you wouldn't tell a stranger on the bus your home address, room number, or family passwords. Why should the internet be any different?
Class Warm-Up: What are 2 rules you follow when walking in a crowded city park? How do those exact rules apply online?
Real-World Story
Lina's New "Friend"
Lina is playing a multiplayer game when a player named GamerPro99 sends a chat: "Hey! Great team move! What's your real name and what city do you live in? Let me send you a free skin!"
Lina feels excited about the free item, but her stomach feels a little uneasy. Should she reply with her city and full name?
Core Concept
What is PII?
PII stands for Personally Identifiable Information. It is any piece of data that can be used to identify, locate, or contact you directly.
Think of PII like a house key: You only give keys to trusted family members, never to people you met 5 minutes ago online.
Visual Breakdown
Safe Info vs. Private PII
✅ SAFE TO SHARE
- Favorite color or food
- Favorite video game or movie
- In-game nickname (e.g. PixelKnight)
- General hobbies (e.g. drawing)
🔒 PRIVATE PII (NEVER SHARE)
- Full name & birth date
- Home address & phone number
- School name & mascot
- Passwords & parent account details
Action Steps
The 3-Step Pause Before You Post
1
PAUSE
Does this post or message contain PII, photos of my face, or my school location?
2
THINK
Would I be comfortable with my principal, parents, or future self seeing this?
3
ASK
When in doubt, show a trusted adult before clicking send or accept!
Side-by-Side Comparison
Online Profiles: Good vs. Risky
❌ RISKY PROFILE
Username: Alex_Smith_OakSchool2014
Bio: 10 yrs old, live near Green Park! Add my Snapchat: AlexS123
Avatar: Real selfie in school uniform
✅ SAFE PROFILE
Username: CosmicDragon_99
Bio: Love sci-fi books, building Scratch games, and soccer!
Avatar: Custom cartoon avatar
Debunking Myths
Common Online Misconceptions
Myth: "They're nice, so they're safe"
Fact: Someone can sound friendly in a game chat for weeks and still be a complete stranger with hidden motives.
Myth: "Deleted means gone forever"
Fact: Screenshots, internet archives, and server logs mean anything posted online can last permanently.
Smartboard Voting
Safe or Private PII?
Thumbs Up = Safe to share | Thumbs Down = Keep Private PII!
- 1. "My favorite sport is basketball."
- 2. "I attend Lincoln Elementary School."
- 3. "My Roblox username is SpeedRacer88."
- 4. "My home wifi password."
- 5. "A picture of my pet dog."
Think-Pair-Share
Handling Cyberbullying & Kindness
Scenario: In a group chat for a class project, someone posts a mean meme making fun of a classmate's drawing.
Directions: Turn to your partner. Discuss:
1. What happens if you ignore it? 2. What is the difference between a bystander and an upstander? 3. What positive action can you take?
Spot the Trap
The "Free In-Game Items" Scam
A popup message reads: "CLAIM 5,000 FREE GAME CREDITS! Just enter your account email and password here!"
Why is this dangerous?
This is called Phishing. Scammers trick users into giving away password credentials.
What should you do?
Never enter account info on popups. Close the tab immediately and alert a parent or teacher.
Guided Practice
Building a Strong Fortress Password
Weak passwords like 123456 or password can be cracked by computers in 0.001 seconds!
// WEAK: soccer123
// BETTER: BlueSoccerBall2026!
// FORMULA: [Color] + [Favorite Sport] + [Item] + [Number/Symbol]
Class Activity: Create a fun passphrase together on the board using our formula!
Application Challenge
Help Leo Fix His Profile
Leo's online profile says: "Hi, I'm Leo Vance! I'm 10 years old and practice karate at 4 PM every Tuesday at Main Street Gym. Text me at 555-0199."
Task: Rewrite Leo's bio on your whiteboard so it stays fun and expressive without leaking any PII.
Quick Check · Question 1
Which of the following is considered PII that must stay private?
AYour favorite ice cream flavor
BYour home address and phone number
CYour favorite cartoon character
DYour favorite video game high score
Click to reveal answer
Quick Check · Question 2
True or False: It is completely safe to share your password with your best friend.
ATrue — Best friends keep secrets!
BFalse — Passwords should only be shared with parents/guardians.
Click to reveal answer
Summary
The Digital Citizen Code
- Protect PII: Keep real name, location, school, and passwords private.
- Pause Before Posting: Remember that your digital footprint lasts.
- Be an Upstander: Speak up against online meanness and cyberbullying.
- Report Scams: Never give passwords for "free" game rewards.
Exit Ticket
Your Online Safety Pledge
Before you log off today, write down or share one online safety rule you promise to follow every time you use a device.
Next Chapter: A journey into what AI is, how it has evolved, and what's brand new this year!