DIGITAL ETHICS & RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECH TOOLS
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INTRODUCTION
What counts as "cheating" when students are using AI tools - or even just copy & paste?
This lesson invites you to think critically about fairness, ownership, and integrity in digital spaces. You will explore ways to help students make ethical choices when using technology and guide conversations that foster honest and responsible learning.
GOALS:
☑️Identify unethical digital behaviors
☑️Experience AI and generative tools that can be used responsibly in middle school classrooms
☑️Discuss strategies for teaching academic honesty and digital decision-making
☑️Consider how digital ethics connects to privacy, plagiarism, misinformation, and responsible technology use
ESTIMATED TIME: 60 minutes
MATERIALS NEEDED: Digital Diary
ISTE STANDARDS:
☑️ Educators: 2.2 Leader | 2.3 Citizen
☑️ Students: 1.6 Creative Communicator
LEARN THE CONCEPTS
Image adapted by Wyatt Tintinger using Canva, 2025. Used under fair use for educational purposes.
What is Digital Ethics?
Digital ethics is the practice of using technology responsibly, fairly, and respectfully (CitizenSide, 2023). For students, this includes everything from giving credit for someone else's work to thinking before they post or re-share content. It also involves knowing how to navigate new tools - like AI (artificial intelligence) in ways that support learning without crossing ethical lines.
Spotting Misinformation with the S.E.E. Method
Help students evaluate online content using the S.E.E. approach (Briara D., 2024). This simple framework provides students with a way to pause and think critically before sharing or believing something they see online.
S - Source: Where is the information coming from? Is it a trustworthy source, like a journalist, an expert, or an educational organization?
E - Evidence: What proof is given? Are there facts, citations, or links to back up the claim?
E - Emotions: Is the content trying to trigger a strong emotional reaction - like fear, outrage, or sympathy - without offering clear evidence?
Image created by Tiffany Phifer using Microsoft Copilot, 2025. Used under fair use for educational purposes.
Image created by Gennifer Hampson using Microsoft Copilot, 2025. Used under fair use for educational purposes.
Recognizing and Teaching Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using someone else's words, images, or ideas without giving credit (CitizenSide, 2023). In a digital world where students copy & paste freely, it's essential to model what it looks like - and what it doesn't. Teachers can help students understand:
Copying text from a website without citing it = plagiarism
Rephrasing someone's ideas without acknowledgement = plagiarism
Giving credit when using text, images, or ideas = responsible digital behavior
Understanding Ethical AI Use
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence (CitizenSide, 2023). These tasks include writing, image generation, speech recognition, and problem solving. In schools, AI tools can support learning - but only when used ethically. Students should understand not just how to use AI, but when and why its use is appropriate.
Common AI tools in the Classroom:
ChatGPT
Google Gemini
Grammarly GO
Microsoft Copilot
| Tip: Before using any AI tool with students, double-check the age requirements and privacy settings. These can change over time, so it’s a good idea to consult the tool’s website or your district tech lead for the most current guidance. Many of these tools are designed for older users, so it’s essential to ensure they’re a good fit for your classroom.
If you would like support unpacking the fine print, this short video offers a helpful overview of how to navigate the Terms and Conditions of generative AI tools. Navigating the Terms and Conditions of Generative AI - Artificial Intelligence.
TEACHER ACTIVITIES
Use your Digital Diary to reflect on how you support ethical decision-making and responsible technology use with your students. You’ll return to it throughout the Activities to capture your thinking, apply new strategies, and track your progress.
Use your Digital Diary to respond to the following questions:
How do you currently address academic honesty, plagiarism, or AI use with students?
What questions or challenges have come up around technology use in your teaching?
Where might students benefit from more explicit guidance about digital choices?
Take a moment to revisit the AI tools covered earlier in the lesson. Use your Digital Diary to respond to the following questions.
What can these tools do?
What concerns do you have about introducing them to middle schoolers?
What guidelines would you want to have in place before students use them?
Image adapted by Wyatt Tintinger using Canva, 2025. Used under fair use for educational purposes.
CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS
Choose one digital ethics concern - plagiarism, misinformation, or AI misuse. Use your Digital Diary to outline a brief plan for how you would address this topic in your classroom. Consider the following questions.
What’s one way you can address it more intentionally with your students?
Is there a small shift you could make to how you guide digital behavior?
How might these digital ethical concerns help students think more critically about their online choices?
Image created by Gennifer Hampson using Microsoft Copilot, 2025. Used under fair use for educational purposes.
Interactive quiz embedded from CBC Kids, 2025.
Use this quick quiz to jump-start the introduction of the S.E.E. Method and spark a conversation about how misinformation spreads online. As students decide what's fact or fake, they will begin practicing the critical thinking behind Stop. Examine. Evaluate. - a strategy they can use anytime they encounter questionable content, whether in class discussions or on their own feeds. Click on the image on the left to access the quiz.
Use your Digital Diary to respond to these reflection questions.
How did using the S.E.E. Method help you think differently about online information?
When might you use this strategy in your classroom or digital life?
Plagiarism can be confusing for middle schoolers, especially when it comes to digital content. Use this activity to spark discussion and clarify expectations in your classroom.
Watch the Academic Honesty videos - Lesson 1 & Lesson 2. Click on each video below to begin.
Use your Digital Diary to complete the T-Chart below to identify:
Examples of plagiarism in the videos
Strategies students can use to avoid it
Use your notes to guide a class discussion or shape your own expectations for digital academic honesty.
Invite students to co-create a class version of the chart during a guided discussion. Encourage them to share real examples they have encountered or found confusing - whether online, in class, or in daily life - and work together to build clearer, more ethical alternatives that reflect your classroom values.
Pick one of the AI tools listed and introduce it to your students with a quick demo. Walk through what the tool can do, and have an open conversation about both the exciting possibilities and the potential risks. Wrap up by co-creating a simple class contract or expectations list that encourages thoughtful, age-appropriate use.
Use your Digital Diary to respond to the following questions.
What stood out to you as you explored the AI tools? How might your own level of comfort or concern influence how you introduce this to students?
What challenges or opportunities do you anticipate when co-creating expectations with your class around AI use?
ChatGPT
Google Gemini
Grammarly GO
Microsoft Copilot
You're ready to put these concepts into action! Use what you've captured in your Digital Diary to start making small, ethical shifts in how you talk about the responsible use of tech tools with your students.
To extend your reflection and share ideas with others, access the Padlet by using the QR Code or clicking on the link. The Padlet is called CTRL+ALT+Engage because it serves as both a 'check for understanding' and an opportunity to engage with the material alongside other participants!
A Padlet is a versatile collaboration tool.
You can contribute as a Guest - no login required. To add your response, click the ➕ plus sign in the bottom right corner of the Padlet screen.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Click the Digital Footprint & Social Media Literacy image below to begin the final lesson and explore how students shape - and are shaped by - their online presence.
Image created by Gennifer Hampson using Microsoft Copilot, 2025. Used under fair use for educational purposes.
Need a refresher on key terms?
Visit the Digital Citizenship Glossary for definitions and classroom-ready language you can use with your students.
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