Assignment: Digital Citizenship Campaign Project

Grade: Middle School
Goal: Students research a digital citizenship issue, interview peers, create Canva charts with their findings, and produce:

• Main Requirement: a short video in Canva (1–2 minutes)

Project Overview

In this project, students will become digital citizens and changemakers. Working in small groups, they will research an issue in digital citizenship, interview classmates, analyze results with Canva charts, and create a short campaign video. To strengthen their message, they will also produce one additional product (poster, infographic, Scratch game, or PollEv survey).

This project gives students the chance to think critically, act creatively, and use technology responsibly, while addressing real-world issues they face daily online.

Topics to Choose From (Details below)

Core Topics (good for grades 6–7; also an option for 8th)

1. Cyberbullying Prevention

2. Protecting Online Privacy

3. Digital Footprints

4. Screen Time Balance

5. Misinformation & Fake News

6. Kindness & Respect Online
   
   

Advanced Topics (ideal for 8th, but open to all)

7. AI & Ethics Online

8. Data Privacy & Big Tech

9. Digital Addiction & Mental Health

10. Cancel Culture & Online Reputation

11. Hate Speech & Online Communities

12. Deepfakes & Media Literacy
    
    

7-Day Schedule

Day 1 – Introduction & Group Formation

• Watch short video on digital citizenship.

• Class discussion: “Why is this important for us?”

• Groups (3–4 students) form, select a topic, and start planning.

Day 2 – Research

• Groups research their topic using trusted sources (Common Sense Media, StopBullying.gov, NetSmartz, etc.).

• Summarize 3–5 key facts to use in their campaign.

Day 3 – Interviews

• Groups design 6 to 8 interview questions.

• Conduct peer surveys (8–10+ responses).

Day 4 – Data Analysis & Canva Charts

• Tally responses; calculate totals/percentages.

• Create at least one Canva chart (pie/bar chart).

• Start video storyboard (script, visuals, where to place chart).

Day 5 – Campaign Creation (Part 1)

• Build main Canva video (1–2 min).

Day 6 – Campaign Creation (Part 2) & Peer Review

• Continue building video and product.

• Groups exchange drafts and give feedback.

• Revise for clarity and polish.

Day 7 – Campaign Launch

• Groups present Canva video + additional product..

• Class reflection: “What did we learn about being responsible digital citizens?”
  
  

Deliverables

1. Main Outcome: 1–2 minute Canva video (includes slogan, message, and Canva chart with interview data).

Digital Citizenship Campaign – Topics to Choose From: DETAILS

 Core Topics (Great for Grades 6–7, but also open to 8th)

1. Cyberbullying Prevention

• Explore what cyberbullying is, why it happens, and how it affects people.

• Show strategies for prevention (blocking/reporting, standing up for others, using respectful language).

• Campaign could focus on “Choose Kindness Online” or “Stop Cyberbullying Before It Starts.”

2. Protecting Online Privacy

• Learn how to protect personal information (strong passwords, privacy settings, not oversharing online).

• Explore risks of sharing too much (identity theft, scams).

• Campaign could include “Think Before You Share” or “Protect Your Password, Protect Yourself.”

3. Digital Footprints

• Explain how everything posted online can last forever and affect future opportunities (college, jobs, reputation).

• Show positive ways to build a “good” digital footprint.

• Campaign could say “Your Future Self is Watching” or “Post Smart, Stay Safe.”

4. Screen Time Balance

• Explore effects of too much screen time (sleep issues, less focus, less exercise).

• Highlight benefits of balance (offline hobbies, time outdoors, family).

• Campaign could include “Unplug to Recharge” or “Balance Your Screen, Balance Your Life.”

5. Misinformation & Fake News

• Discuss how to tell real vs. false information online.

• Show strategies (fact-checking, checking sources, questioning headlines).

• Campaign could say “Think Before You Share” or “Spot the Fake, Share the Truth.”

6. Kindness & Respect Online

• Focus on empathy, respectful communication, and building positive online communities.

• Show that words online matter just as much as in person.

• Campaign could include “Spread Kindness, Not Hate” or “Be the Reason Someone Smiles Online.”
  
  

Advanced Topics (Especially for Grade 8, but any student can attempt)

7. AI & Ethics Online

• Explore how artificial intelligence (recommendation systems, chatbots, deepfakes) shapes what we see online.

• Discuss fairness, bias, and ethics (e.g., “Is it right for AI to decide what we watch or read?”).

• Campaign could highlight “AI Can Help Us, But Who Controls It?”

8. Data Privacy & Big Tech

• Investigate how companies collect, store, and use personal data (tracking, ads, targeted content).

• Discuss the trade-off between convenience and privacy.

• Campaign could say “Your Data is Valuable—Protect It” or “Don’t Let Big Tech Track You.”

9. Digital Addiction & Mental Health

• Explore how too much time on social media, gaming, or streaming affects mood, focus, and relationships.

• Offer strategies for healthy digital habits (screen limits, breaks, balance).

• Campaign could include “Log Out to Tune In” or “Screens Can Wait, Your Health Can’t.”

10. Cancel Culture & Online Reputation

• Discuss how online actions can lead to public shaming or “canceling.”

• Explore fairness: accountability vs. overreaction.

• Campaign could ask “Should One Mistake Define a Person?”

11. Hate Speech & Online Communities

• Explore the difference between free speech and harmful speech online.

• Highlight ways to report or reduce toxic online environments.

• Campaign could include “Words Matter—Use Them Wisely” or “Silence Hate, Amplify Respect.”

12. Deepfakes & Media Literacy

• Show how fake videos and images can trick people.

• Teach how to spot manipulated media and why it’s dangerous.

• Campaign could say “Don’t Believe Everything You See” or “Double-Check Before You Share.”

Digital Citizenship Campaign Project Rubric (100 Points Total)

1. Research & Understanding (20 pts)

20–18 pts – Deep understanding with accurate, specific facts from 3+ trusted sources. Explains why the issue matters.

17–14 pts – Good understanding with mostly accurate facts from 2–3 trusted sources.

13–9 pts – Some understanding; facts are vague or from weak sources.

8–0 pts – Lacks understanding or has incorrect info.

2. Interview & Data Collection (15 pts)

15–13 pts – Thoughtful questions; 8–10+ relevant responses. Data organized and clearly supports message.

12–10 pts – Good questions; 6–8 responses; data mostly supports message.

9–6 pts – Basic or unclear questions; few responses.

5–0 pts – Few or no questions; missing data.

3. Data Analysis & Canva Charts (15 pts)

15–13 pts – Accurate data, clear labeled chart (pie/bar), meaningfully used in video.

12–10 pts – Mostly accurate data; chart clear, connected to message.

9–6 pts – Some errors or unclear chart; weak connection to message.

5–0 pts – Missing or inaccurate chart.

4. Canva Video (Main Product) (30 pts)

30–27 pts – Engaging, polished 1–2 min video with slogan, key facts, chart, and call to action. Excellent visuals, pacing, and audio.

26–22 pts – Complete and clear; includes most required elements; some polish needed.

21–15 pts – Incomplete, confusing, or missing elements.

14–0 pts – Major parts missing or not submitted.

5. Creativity & Message (10 pts)

10–9 pts – Inspiring, memorable, and persuasive; strong creativity and impact.

8–7 pts – Clear, positive message; some creativity.

6–4 pts – Message somewhat unclear or lacks impact.

3–0 pts – Confusing or off-topic message.

6. Collaboration & Effort (5 pts)

5 pts – Group worked equally and effectively; everyone contributed ideas and effort.

4 pts – Mostly effective teamwork; most members participated.

3 pts – Uneven participation; one or two did most work.

2–0 pts – Poor teamwork or minimal effort.

7. Presentation & Reflection (5 pts)

5 pts – Confident, well-organized presentation; reflection shows deep insight into digital citizenship and learning.

4 pts – Clear presentation and reflection; shows understanding.

3 pts – Brief or surface-level reflection.

2–0 pts – No presentation or reflection.

| TOTAL  /100 |