← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Questions to ask before sharing

Before posting, ask: is it personal, who will see it, and could someone copy or pass it on? If you would not want everyone to see it, do not share it.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Staying Safe Online — Module 31, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 27

Understanding Questions to ask before sharing in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: This question reminds you that anything you share can be copied and spread beyond your first audience. This test checks whether you are comfortable with everyone seeing it, so you can decide not to share. Start by checking if the post is personal, like your name, school, address or face. Likes do not make something safe. People can take screenshots or forward things, so a small group does not always keep it private. Think about your audience. Friends, strangers and friends of friends might all be able to see it. A house number is personal information. It could help a stranger find where you live.

Common mistakes: A photo showing your address has personal information in it, so personal should be true. Asking 'is it personal?' is the first question to ask before sharing. If it is personal and anyone online can see it, you should not share it. It should say share ← false.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Questions to ask before sharing to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 157–173) 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 question should you ask first before sharing a photo online?
Does it show personal information about me or others?Will it get lots of likes?
Matches
Post: "I'm home alone at 12 Gum Street! Come see my new bike!"
↓
This shares personal information, your home address and that you are alone, without asking 'Is it personal?' first.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Think before you share
Meaning
Before posting, ask: is it personal, who will see it, and could someone copy or pass it on? If you would not want everyone to see it, do not share it.
Practice
ASK "Is it personal?"
Testing
Gaps
IF THEN
Check Answer
Spots
1post ← photo with my address
2personal ← false

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Quick Questions

1. Which question should you ask first before sharing a photo online?
A. Does it show personal information about me or others? ✓
B. Will it get lots of likes?
Start by checking if the post is personal, like your name, school, address or face. Likes do not make something safe.
2. You post a picture in a group chat with only 5 friends. What is true?
A. Anyone in the chat could copy it or pass it on ✓
B. Only those 5 friends will ever see it
People can take screenshots or forward things, so a small group does not always keep it private.
3. Which is a good question to ask before you post?
A. How fast can I post it?
B. Who will be able to see this? ✓
Think about your audience. Friends, strangers and friends of friends might all be able to see it.
4. Which post is safer to share?
A. A photo of your house with the street number showing
B. A drawing you made of your favourite animal ✓
A house number is personal information. It could help a stranger find where you live.
5. A friend says, 'Delete it later and it will be gone.' What is the best thinking?
A. Someone may have already copied it, so think before posting ✓
B. Deleting always removes every copy
Once something is online, others can save or share it even if you delete your post.

Match the Pairs

Is it personal? → Check if the post shows private details like your full name, address, school or phone number.
Who can see it? → Find out if only friends can see your post or if strangers and the whole world can see it too.
Someone can save a screenshot of your post and send it to other people, even if you delete it. → Could it be copied or passed on?
If you would not want your teacher, family and strangers all to see a photo, you should not post it. → Would I be happy for everyone to see it?
Post: "I'm home alone at 12 Gum Street! Come see my new bike!" → This shares personal information, your home address and that you are alone, without asking 'Is it personal?' first.
"It's just a private chat, so my friend can't pass my photo on." → This forgets that a friend can copy, screenshot or forward a photo to other people.

Key Term

Think before you share
Before posting, ask: is it personal, who will see it, and could someone copy or pass it on? If you would not want everyone to see it, do not share it.

Fill in the Blanks

1. isPersonal ← true IF isPersonal THEN share ← false
Hint: Type the variable name that says whether the information is personal.
2. IF NOT happyForAll THEN share ← false
Hint: Type the logic word that flips a true answer to false, so you stop if you would not be happy for everyone to see it.
3. IF canBeCopied OR canBePassedOn THEN thinkFirst()
Hint: Type the logic word that means only one of the two risks needs to be true.
4. IF isPersonal = true THEN share ← false ELSE askWhoCanSee()
Hint: Type the keyword that starts the other path when the first condition is not true.
5. IF isPersonal = true THEN share ← false
Hint: Type the Boolean value that means you do not share personal information.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A post ← photo with my address
B personal ← false
C if personal = true then
D share ← false
Line B — A photo showing your address has personal information in it, so personal should be true. Asking 'is it personal?' is the first question to ask before sharing.
Question 2
A personal ← true
B viewers ← anyone online
C if personal = true then
D share ← true
Line D — If it is personal and anyone online can see it, you should not share it. It should say share ← false.
Question 3
A post ← photo of a friend
B copied ← false
C if copied = true then
D ask friend first
Line B — Anything you post can be copied, saved or screenshotted by others, so copied should be true. That is why you ask your friend first.
Question 4
A ask ← is it personal?
B ask ← who can see it?
C ask ← what is for lunch?
D ask ← happy if all see it?
Line C — The third question should be about whether the post could be copied or passed on. Lunch has nothing to do with staying safe before sharing.
Question 5
A happy ← false
B if happy = true then
C share ← true
D else share ← true
Line D — If you would not be happy for everyone to see it, the else branch must be share ← false. Sharing anyway ignores the check.

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