💻 TechnologyGrade 3Lesson 19
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Think Before You Post: Digital Footprint

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Define digital footprint and explain how it is created
  • 2Sequence the think-before-you-post steps in the correct order
  • 3Apply the kind, necessary, and true questions to decide whether to post
📘

Mini Lesson

Every time you post a photo, write a comment, or send a message online, you leave a trace. This collection of all your online actions is called your digital footprint. Once something is posted online, it can be very hard to remove — even after you delete it, copies may still exist.

What Is a Digital Footprint?

  • A digital footprint is the record of everything you do online.
  • It includes photos you post, comments you write, and websites you visit.
  • Your footprint can be seen by friends, family, coaches, and even strangers.
  • A positive footprint shows kindness and good choices; a negative one can cause lasting harm.
  • Future employers and colleges may one day look at your online history.

The Think-Before-You-Post Sequence

  1. THINK — ask yourself: what am I about to post and who might see it?
  2. PAUSE — take a moment and do not rush to post.
  3. ASK — is this Kind? Is it Necessary? Is it True?
  4. POST or DON'T — if yes to all three, post responsibly. If any answer is No, don't post.

Building a Positive Digital Footprint

  • Share your achievements, creative work, and helpful ideas.
  • Celebrate others' successes with kind comments.
  • Check facts before sharing information with others.
  • Think about how your post will make someone else feel.
  • Only post things you would be comfortable showing a parent or grandparent.
Think Before You Post — 4 StepsFour steps connected by arrows: Think, Pause, Ask (Kind/Necessary/True?), then Post or Do Not Post.Think Before You Post1THINK2PAUSE3ASK4POST?Kind? Necessary? True?Post it!Don't post!Your digital footprint lasts a very long time.
Building a Positive Digital FootprintFive tips for building a positive digital footprint shown as a list.Positive Footprint Tips1Share achievements and creativity2Celebrate others with kind comments3Check facts before sharing4Think about others' feelings5Post only grandma-safe content
💡

Imagine your post on a giant billboard in your town park. If you would be happy for everyone to read it — your coach, your parents, your grandparents — it is probably safe to post.

Vocabulary
Post
Something you share online — words, photos, or videose.g. My post showed my science project.
Digital footprint
The trail of posts and information you leave on the internete.g. A kind digital footprint helps me later.
Permanent
Likely to last for a long time, even if you delete ite.g. Online posts can be permanent.
Pause
A short stop to think before you acte.g. I pause before I post anything.
Kind, true, necessary
Three quick checks before you post anything onlinee.g. I run the kind, true, necessary check.
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
Already convinced? See full membership plans →
← Lesson 18: Respectful Communication in Messages and CommentsLesson 20: Personal Information: What to Share and Protect →