"We are at a watershed moment where the things we take for granted online—our privacy, our security, our open access to information—are extraordinarily fragile. Protecting them requires active vigilance."
Ronald Deibert, Director of the Citizen LabArtificial Intelligence can be a powerful research assistant, but it is only as good as the questions you ask. Your first task is to use a chatbot to identify potential digital threats.
Task:
Digital Footprint Tip: To evaluate your own online footprint, search for your name in quotation marks (e.g., "Your Name") in a private browser window. You might be surprised at what public information, images, or account profiles show up. Adjusting your privacy settings to restrict public viewing is the easiest first step to protecting your digital reputation.
AI can sometimes "hallucinate" or provide outdated information. To be a responsible digital citizen, you must verify what you've learned before sharing it.
Task:
Now, you will take that verified information and turn it into an advocacy tool for your peers.
Task:
Create a short informational video (1–2 minutes) designed to help other teens manage online risks.
Video Recording Tip: To make your peer advisory video more visually appealing, consider using Canva's free video templates. You can easily add title slides, text highlights, or captions to help communicate your digital safety tips clearly.
Deliverable:
Submit your completed 1-2 minute peer advisory video using the course app submission portal.
Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.
Peer Advisory Video (1-2 mins)
We are learning to:
Critically evaluate information about digital risks using AI and reliable secondary sources
Develop strategies to minimize personal risk and promote safety in online environments
I can:
Identify and explain the effects of online risks, such as cyberbullying and data privacy breaches, on personal well-being
Assess the validity of safety information by comparing AI-generated content with reliable, verified sources
Apply strategies to avoid harm online and demonstrate how to protect my digital reputation and security
| Category | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Identifying Online Risks (Knowledge / Understanding)
How clearly does the student identify and explain the effects of online risks (e.g., cyberbullying, privacy breaches) on personal well-being?
|
Consistently and clearly explains the effects of online risks on personal well-being | Explains the effects of online risks on personal well-being with clear detail | Partially explains the effects of online risks on personal well-being | Explains the effects of online risks with limited clarity |
|
Fact-Checking & Information Verification (Thinking / Inquiry)
How effectively does the student assess the validity of safety information by comparing AI-generated content with reliable, verified sources?
|
Evaluates information source validity and compares AI content with reliable sources with high critical insight | Evaluates information source validity and compares AI content with reliable sources clearly | Partially evaluates information source validity and compares AI content | Evaluates information source validity or compares AI content with limited critical thought |
|
Applying Digital Safety Strategies (Application)
How effectively does the student formulate and explain practical strategies to avoid online harm and protect digital reputation?
|
Develops highly practical, realistic, and effective strategies to protect digital reputation and security | Develops clear and practical strategies to protect digital reputation and security | Develops basic strategies with some effectiveness | Develops limited or unrealistic strategies |
|
Media Communication (Communication)
How clearly and engagingly is the peer advisory video presented?
|
Communicates ideas in the video with a high degree of clarity, conciseness, and engagement | Communicates ideas in the video clearly and with appropriate delivery | Communicates ideas in the video with some clarity and organization | Communicates ideas in the video with limited clarity |
Consistently and clearly explains the effects of online risks on personal well-being
Explains the effects of online risks on personal well-being with clear detail
Partially explains the effects of online risks on personal well-being
Explains the effects of online risks with limited clarity
Evaluates information source validity and compares AI content with reliable sources with high critical insight
Evaluates information source validity and compares AI content with reliable sources clearly
Partially evaluates information source validity and compares AI content
Evaluates information source validity or compares AI content with limited critical thought
Develops highly practical, realistic, and effective strategies to protect digital reputation and security
Develops clear and practical strategies to protect digital reputation and security
Develops basic strategies with some effectiveness
Develops limited or unrealistic strategies
Communicates ideas in the video with a high degree of clarity, conciseness, and engagement
Communicates ideas in the video clearly and with appropriate delivery
Communicates ideas in the video with some clarity and organization
Communicates ideas in the video with limited clarity