← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Consent when collecting personal data

Asking permission before collecting someone's personal data and explaining how it will be used. The person can say no. For young people, a parent or guardian may also need to agree.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 43, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 82, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Digital footprint and privacy — Module 14, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Data privacy and the Australian Privacy Principles — Module 15, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems — Module 13, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Digital Footprints and Data Minimisation — Module 28, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 46, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Privacy Principles and Digital Footprints — Module 15, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Digital Methods for Exchanging Data — Module 66, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Complex Digital Data Exchange Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 42, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 94

Understanding Consent when collecting personal data in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: This sentence explains the purpose, so the person knows how their data will be used before they decide. For young people, a parent or guardian may also need to give permission before personal data is collected. The person can say no. Saying no is always allowed, and you must respect it. Consent is a real choice. People can say no, and nothing bad should happen because of it. Asking clearly and explaining the purpose is consent. Collecting data in secret is not. Consent is only for the purpose you explained. A new purpose needs new permission. Consent needs a clear answer. Silence does not mean yes.

Common mistakes: A single = assigns a value. To check the person's answer you need == so it reads: if ok == "yes":. You can't subtract text. Use + to join the words and the purpose so the person is told how their data will be used.

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 31–56) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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

Learning

Duo

Your class wants to collect classmates' favourite foods and names for a survey. What should you do first?

Ask each person for permissionStart collecting and tell them later

Matches

I wrote down my classmates' birthdays without asking them.

↓

No permission was asked. You must ask before collecting personal data.

Applying

Meanings

Term

consent

Meaning

Asking permission before collecting someone's personal data and explaining how it will be used. The person can say no. For young people, a parent or guardian may also need to agree.

Practice

1. Ask: May I collect your name?

Testing

Gaps

= askpermission(person)

Check Answer

Spots

1ok = input("Use your name? ")

2if ok = "yes":

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Quick Questions

1. Your class wants to collect classmates' favourite foods and names for a survey. What should you do first?

A. Ask each person for permission ✓

B. Start collecting and tell them later

Consent means asking permission BEFORE you collect someone's personal data.

2. Which is a good way to get consent for a class survey?

A. Explain why you need the data and how it will be used ✓

B. Just say it is for a school thing

Good consent includes explaining the purpose and how the data will be used, so people can make a clear choice.

3. A classmate says no to sharing their birthday for your project. What should you do?

A. Ask again until they say yes

B. Respect their answer and not collect it ✓

The person can say no. Saying no is always allowed, and you must respect it.

4. True or false: Someone can say no when you ask for their personal data.

A. True ✓

B. False

Consent is a real choice. People can say no, and nothing bad should happen because of it.

5. You want to collect personal data from students who are 9 years old. Who may also need to agree?

A. A stranger online

B. A parent or guardian ✓

For young people, a parent or guardian may also need to give consent.

Match the Pairs

consent → Asking permission before collecting someone's personal data and explaining how it will be used

consent = "no" → The person said no, so you must not collect their data

Explain the purpose: tell people why you want their data and how it will be used → We will use your answers to make a class chart.

Parent or guardian consent: a young person's parent or guardian may also need to agree → Please ask a parent or guardian to sign this form.

I wrote down my classmates' birthdays without asking them. → No permission was asked. You must ask before collecting personal data.

Ben said no, but I still collected his name. → Ben's no was ignored. A person can say no and you must respect it.

Key Term

consent

Asking permission before collecting someone's personal data and explaining how it will be used. The person can say no. For young people, a parent or guardian may also need to agree.

Fill in the Blanks

1. consent = ask_permission(person)

Hint: Type the variable name that stores the person's answer after you ask for permission.

2. explain_purpose("to plan the class party")

Hint: Type the function name that tells the person why you want their data.

3. if consent == "no": stop_collecting()

Hint: Type the answer a person gives when they refuse, so you must stop collecting.

4. if age < 13: ask_guardian()

Hint: Type the function name that asks a parent or guardian to agree for a young person.

5. if consent == "yes": collect_data()

Hint: Type the keyword that makes sure data is only collected when permission has been given.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A ok = input("Use your name? ")

B if ok = "yes":

C print("Thank you")

D else:

E print("No problem")

Line B — A single = assigns a value. To check the person's answer you need == so it reads: if ok == "yes":

Question 2

A purpose = "a class survey"

B print("Used for " - purpose)

C ok = input("Is that OK? ")

Line B — You can't subtract text. Use + to join the words and the purpose so the person is told how their data will be used.

Question 3

A age = 10

B needs_parent = age < 18

C if needs_parent:

D print("No need to ask")

Line D — A person under 18 needs a parent or guardian to agree too. The program should say to ask a parent, not skip it.

Question 4

A ok = input("May I ask? "

B if ok == "yes":

C print("Asking now")

Line A — The input( bracket is never closed. Add the closing ) at the end so the program can ask permission.

Question 5

A answer = "no"

B if answer == "no":

C collect = True

D print("Collect:", collect)

Line C — When someone says no, you must not collect their data. collect should be set to False.

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