Level: Grades 9 - 12

Author: Matthew Johnson, Director of Education, MediaSmarts

This lesson was made possible with financial support from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Overview

In this lesson students consider and discuss the trade-offs we all make on a daily basis between maintaining our privacy, and gaining access to information services. The lesson begins with a series of guided questions to help students assess their own perceptions of privacy and determine their comfort levels with giving out personal information. This is followed by a series of exercises and case studies that encourage them to delve deeper into privacy issues. As a summative activity, students produce short video essays that reflect those privacy issues they consider to be important.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• learn about the risks of giving out personal information online
• consider and debate the importance of privacy relative to other concerns, such as security and access to online services
• understand the possible consequences of posting photos, personal information and messages
• become aware of the distinction between privacy and security
• form and express opinions
• create a media product

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) are available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.