← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Permanence of digital footprints

Anything you post online can be copied, saved or shared by others, so it may never fully disappear, even if you delete it. Think before you post.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 41, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Digital footprint and privacy — Module 7, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Staying Safe Online — Module 33, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Digital Footprints — Module 14, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Digital Footprints and Data Minimisation — Module 8, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Privacy Principles and Digital Footprints — Module 7

Understanding Permanence of digital footprints in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: After a post is deleted, copies such as screenshots can still exist, so the content may not truly disappear. Thinking before posting protects your reputation because posts can be copied, saved and shared for a long time. Other people can copy, save or share a post before you delete it, so it may never fully disappear. If someone took a screenshot before you deleted it, others can still see it. This can affect what people think of you. Personal details can be saved and shared by others and may never disappear, so keep them private. Deleting helps, but it may not remove every copy. A trusted adult can help you decide what to do next.

Common mistakes: A function call needs brackets around its input. It should be copy = screenshot(post). A screenshot is a copy that stays even after the post is deleted. An if line must end with a colon. It should be if copy_exists: so the message prints when a copy of the post exists.

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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Learning
Duo
You post a photo online and then delete it. Is it guaranteed to be gone forever?
No, someone may have already saved or shared itYes, deleting always removes it everywhere
Matches
if post_deleted: nobody_has_a_copy = True
↓
Wrong. A deleted post may already have been screenshotted or shared, so copies can still exist.
Applying
Meanings
Term
digital permanence
Meaning
Anything you post online can be copied, saved or shared by others, so it may never fully disappear, even if you delete it. Think before you post.
Practice
post ← "my photo"
Testing
Gaps
Anyone can take a of your post
Check Answer
Spots
1post = "party photo"
2copy = screenshot post

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Quick Questions

1. You post a photo online and then delete it. Is it guaranteed to be gone forever?
A. No, someone may have already saved or shared it ✓
B. Yes, deleting always removes it everywhere
Other people can copy, save or share a post before you delete it, so it may never fully disappear.
2. Which action shows that a post can be copied?
A. A friend takes a screenshot of your post ✓
B. You close the app on your device
A screenshot saves a copy of your post on someone else's device, even if you delete the original later.
3. Which is the best thing to do before you post something online?
A. Stop and think about who could see it and share it ✓
B. Post it quickly and fix it later if needed
Thinking before you post helps you avoid sharing things you might regret, because posts can be saved and shared.
4. True or false: A mean comment you post and then delete can still hurt your reputation.
A. False
B. True ✓
If someone took a screenshot before you deleted it, others can still see it. This can affect what people think of you.
5. Your friend sends you a private message and you take a screenshot. What have you made?
A. Nothing, because it stays private forever
B. A copy that could be shared with others ✓
A screenshot is a saved copy. Once copied, it can be shared without the original sender's control.

Match the Pairs

digital permanence → Anything you post online can be copied, saved or shared, so it may never fully disappear
screenshot → A picture of your screen that lets someone keep your post even if you delete it later
Deleting a post does not guarantee it is gone, because someone may have already saved it → delete(post) != gone_forever
Good habit: stop and ask yourself if you would be happy for everyone to see this before you post → think_before_posting()
if post_deleted: nobody_has_a_copy = True → Wrong. A deleted post may already have been screenshotted or shared, so copies can still exist.
post(message); think_after_posting() → Wrong order. You should think before you post, because once it is online it can be copied and may harm your reputation.

Key Term

digital permanence
Anything you post online can be copied, saved or shared by others, so it may never fully disappear, even if you delete it. Think before you post.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Anyone can take a screenshot of your post
Hint: Type the word for a picture of a screen that lets someone keep your post.
2. Deleting a post will not erase copies
Hint: Type the word for duplicates that other people may have already made.
3. A post can harm your reputation later
Hint: Type the word for what other people think about you and your character.
4. Think before you post
Hint: Type the word that says when you should stop and think: first, ahead of posting.
5. Posts can be copied, saved and shared
Hint: Type the word for passing content on to other people.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A post = "party photo"
B copy = screenshot post
C delete(post)
D print(copy)
Line B — A function call needs brackets around its input. It should be copy = screenshot(post). A screenshot is a copy that stays even after the post is deleted.
Question 2
A post = "silly video"
B copy_exists = True
C if copy_exists
D print("Still online")
Line C — An if line must end with a colon. It should be if copy_exists: so the message prints when a copy of the post exists.
Question 3
A post = "mean joke"
B is_kind = False
C if not is_kind:
D publish(post)
Line C — This would publish the post only when it is NOT kind. Think before posting means we publish only if it is kind, so it should be if is_kind:.
Question 4
A rep = 10
B rep = rep + 3 # rude post
C delete(post)
D print(rep) # still 7
Line B — A rude post hurts your reputation, so the score should go down: rep = rep - 3. Deleting the post later does not give the lost reputation back.
Question 5
A copies = 2
B delete("photo")
C gone = True
D print(gone)
Line C — Deleting your post does not delete the copies other people saved. The photo is only gone if there are no copies, so it should be gone = copies == 0.

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