Materials and Preparation

• Paper and pens

• Copy the What’s Private? Student Handout, one for each student.

• If students will not have access to computers with an Internet connection, print out privacy policies from two websites that students commonly use. Make copies for each pair of students.

Essential Question

How do websites collect your personal information, and what can you do about it?

Lesson Overview

Students explore the concept of privacy in their everyday lives, and as it relates to using the Internet. Students examine a scenario in which a research company collects information about them. They reflect on concerns they might have, and they learn about the kinds of information websites collect. They learn that sites are required to post their privacy policies and that kids should check those policies on the sites they visit.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to ...

• explore the concept of privacy in both a real-world setting and online.

• understand how and why companies collect information about visitors to their websites.

• learn and use online privacy terms.

• learn that websites are required to post privacy policies.

Key Vocabulary

anonymous: someone who can’t be identified based on the information at hand

cookies: small computer text files placed in your computer by the sites you visit that collect information about your computer system and the webpages you view

third party: a person or company other than you and the owner of the website you visit

privacy options: choices a website might give you about what it does with your information

Warm-up (5 minutes)

TELL your class the following story: Our principal has hired a research company to collect information that will help us make the school better for you. Several observers will watch students and record where each of you goes, how many times you go there, and how long you stay there, including to the water fountain, your locker, the bathroom, the cafeteria, and to visit another student. You will be identified only by a number. At the end of the day, the research company will put all the data together and write a report for the principal.

ENCOURAGE students to think about what you just told them. Have them jot down any questions or concerns they have, or think other students might have. Then have them share their thoughts with the class.

GUIDE students to consider the following questions:

• Who else might see the information?

• Can people’s identification numbers be linked to their name by the principal?

• Do you think any of the information should remain private?

• Do you think you will be allowed to review the data collected about you?

• Are you satisfied with the explanation that the information is needed “to make the school better,” or do you want to know more about how the information will be used?

EXPLAIN that the story you told is not true; no one will be collecting information about them in the school. However, this is the kind of information that many websites collect whenever you visit them. Companies can learn all kinds of things about you, based on where you go and what you do when you’re online.

DEFINE the Key Vocabulary term anonymous. Explain to students that most people think no one knows who they are or what they do when they are online. Believing they are anonymous is why people sometimes do things online that they would not do face-to-face. However, it’s nearly impossible to be completely anonymous online.

What’s Private? (20 minutes)

ARRANGE students in pairs.

DISTRIBUTE the What’s Private? Student Handout, one for each pair of students.

REVIEW the Key Vocabulary terms cookies, third party, and privacy options. These terms are discussed in more detail on the student handout.

ASSIGN each pair of students one of the following websites, or choose other sites that your class uses. If your class has access to a limited number of computers, you may assign two or more pairs to work at the same computer and look at the same sites; each pair should complete its own handout.

How Stuff Works: www.howstuffworks.com

Google: www.google.com

Wikipedia: www.wikipedia.org

EXPLAIN to students that every website has a privacy policy. They can usually find this by looking at the small print at the bottom of the home page and finding the words “Privacy” or “Privacy Policy.”

ASK students to go to their assigned websites and find the privacy policy. On their handouts, have them check off the words that they find on the site and answer the questions about personal information and privacy options.

INVITE pairs of students to share what they found out about the kinds of information their sites collect, and how the sites use the information. Does their site collect personal information? Does it use cookies, or does it give out data to third parties? Does it give them a choice of privacy options? This information is generally included in the privacy policy, though not always. Then ask students what they think about their site’s privacy policy. Remind them to think back to the real world and how this topic relates to their school.

ASK: Do you mind that the site collects information about you? Why or why not?

Does it make a difference what kind of information your site collects about you?

What do you get in return for the information? Is the exchange worth it to you?

Design a Privacy Policy (15 minutes)

HAVE students write their own privacy policies, using all of the terms on the What’s Private? Student Handout. In designing their privacy policies, students will need to consider the following questions:

• What kinds of information do you want to collect about visitors to your site? How will you use the information?

• Will you use cookies? • Will you share the information you collect with third parties?

• Do you want to give your visitors privacy options, so that they have choices about how the information will be used?

For students who need extra support, suggest that they structure their privacy policies by including the following headings:

Name of Site

What Information Is Collected

How This Information Is Used

ENCOURAGE volunteers to read their privacy policies aloud, and invite other students to respond to them.

DISCUSS strategies for dealing with a site that asks for more information than students feel comfortable sharing, or that does not post a clear policy. Remind students that they can leave a site if they don’t like the policy. Adults may have access to privacy settings, so students can ask an adult family member or teacher to check out the site or contact the site for more information. (Adults should also know that the Federal Trade Commission provides an online Consumer Complaint Form at www.ftc.gov.)

Wrap-up (5 minutes)

You can use these questions to assess your students’ understanding of the lesson objectives. You may want to ask students to reflect in writing on one of the questions, using a journal or an online blog/wiki.

ASK: What is a cookie? A third party? A privacy policy? Privacy options?

Why do website owners want information about their visitors?

Why is anonymity an important feature of the Internet?

REMIND students that they can always check a website’s privacy policy to find out what that site might do with their personal information. If they don’t feel comfortable with the policy, they can leave the site.