← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Building a positive digital footprint

Sharing kind, safe and useful things online that you would be happy for anyone to see, like schoolwork you are proud of and kind comments. Try the grandparent test.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 18

Understanding Building a positive digital footprint in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: Posting schoolwork you are proud of, in a safe place like a class blog, shows your best effort and adds to a positive footprint. Kind comments show respect and encouragement, so they help build a positive footprint. The grandparent test is about whether you would be happy for anyone, even a grandparent, to see your post. It is not about likes. Think first. Once something is posted, others can see it or save a copy before you delete it.

Common mistakes: A positive footprint needs the post to be kind AND safe. With OR, something that is only one of those could be shared. It should be: IF kind AND safe THEN share. The comment is kind and passes the grandparent test, so it should be posted. Deleting it would throw away a kind comment that builds a positive footprint. It should be: post comment.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 174–225) and word search (Modules 137–225).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which post helps build a positive digital footprint?
Sharing a poster you made for school and are proud ofPosting a mean joke about a classmate
Matches
comment("That drawing is terrible!")
↓
This comment is unkind, so it would add a negative mark to your footprint. Say something kind or helpful instead.
Applying
Meanings
Term
positive digital footprint
Meaning
Sharing kind, safe and useful things online that you would be happy for anyone to see, like schoolwork you are proud of and kind comments. Try the grandparent test.
Practice
IF post is kind AND safe AND useful THEN
Testing
Gaps
IF kind safe THEN
Check Answer
Spots
3safe ← true
4IF kind OR safe THEN share

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Quick Questions

1. Which post helps build a positive digital footprint?
A. Posting a mean joke about a classmate
B. Sharing a poster you made for school and are proud of ✓
A positive footprint is built from kind, safe and useful things. Schoolwork you are proud of is a great thing to share.
2. What is the grandparent test?
A. Ask: would I be happy for my grandparent to see this? ✓
B. Ask: will my grandparent press like on this?
The grandparent test is about whether you would be happy for anyone, even a grandparent, to see your post. It is not about likes.
3. Which comment adds to a positive footprint?
A. That project looks silly. Why did you even bother?
B. Great job on your science project, I love your drawing! ✓
Kind comments help other people feel good and make your own footprint positive.
4. Your post passes the grandparent test. What does that tell you?
A. It is probably kind, safe and fine for anyone to see ✓
B. It is fine to share, even if it has private details
Passing the test is a good sign, but safe sharing also means keeping private details, like your address, to yourself.
5. Which one is a positive footprint choice?
A. Sharing a helpful tip about how to solve a maths problem ✓
B. Sharing a rude video just because your friends think it is funny
Useful posts, like a helpful tip, add to a positive footprint. Rude posts can stay online and be seen by anyone.

Match the Pairs

positive digital footprint → Kind, safe and useful things you share that you would be happy for anyone to see
grandparent test → Ask yourself: would I be happy for my grandparent to see this post or comment?
Sharing schoolwork you are proud of can build a positive footprint → post("My finished science poster", "class blog")
A kind comment adds something positive to your footprint → comment("Great work! I love your drawing.")
comment("That drawing is terrible!") → This comment is unkind, so it would add a negative mark to your footprint. Say something kind or helpful instead.
post("My home address and phone number") → This shares personal details that are not safe to share, so it does not build a positive footprint. Share safe things like schoolwork instead.

Key Term

positive digital footprint
Sharing kind, safe and useful things online that you would be happy for anyone to see, like schoolwork you are proud of and kind comments. Try the grandparent test.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF kind AND safe THEN post(schoolwork) ENDIF
Hint: Type the logical word that needs both checks to be true before posting.
2. grandparentTest ← "pass" IF grandparentTest = "pass" THEN share(photo)
Hint: Type the variable name that holds the result of the test.
3. comment ← "Great work, well done!" IF isKind(comment) THEN post(comment)
Hint: Type the command that publishes the kind comment online.
4. IF proudOf(schoolwork) THEN share(schoolwork) ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that starts the action when the condition is true.
5. IF NOT kind THEN delete(draft) ENDIF
Hint: Type the keyword that reverses a true or false check.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A post ← my art project
B kind ← true
C safe ← true
D IF kind OR safe THEN share
Line D — A positive footprint needs the post to be kind AND safe. With OR, something that is only one of those could be shared. It should be: IF kind AND safe THEN share.
Question 2
A comment ← 'Great work, Sam!'
B grandparent_ok ← true
C IF grandparent_ok THEN
D delete comment
E END IF
Line D — The comment is kind and passes the grandparent test, so it should be posted. Deleting it would throw away a kind comment that builds a positive footprint. It should be: post comment.
Question 3
A work ← my poem
B proud ← true
C IF proud THEN hide work
D END IF
Line C — Sharing schoolwork you are proud of adds to a positive footprint. Hiding it means nothing good is added. It should be: IF proud THEN share work.
Question 4
A FOR each classmate post
B read the post
C write a mean comment
D NEXT
Line C — Kind comments build a positive digital footprint. Mean comments hurt people and add negative things to your footprint. It should be: write a kind comment.
Question 5
A message ← 'Well done, team!'
B IF message is rude THEN
C send message
D END IF
Line B — The program should only send messages that are kind. Checking for rude would send unkind messages. It should be: IF message is kind THEN.

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