Getting Middle School Students to T.H.I.N.K. About Their Digital Footprint

A health class lesson urged middle schoolers to think, but this lesson focused on the word THINK as an acronym to help guide what they post on social media. During presentations in all sixth, seventh and eighth grade health classes, middle school counselors co-taught a lesson on internet safety that focused primarily on what students are posting online.

Each presentation included information that was relevant and age-appropriate to each grade level with some common themes of how to avoid digital drama and de-escalate a situation, being aware that their digital footprint lives online even after posts are deleted and if they see something disturbing online they should report it to an adult, their school or the social media platform.

“It was a straightforward presentation to get the students thinking about what they do on the internet and how it is impacting their digital footprint," said Amanda Feron, sixth-grade counselor.

Posters with the THINK acronym are displayed in school hallways. The poster reminds students to ask some questions before they post to social media; is it true, is it helpful, is it inspiring, is it necessary, is it kind.

This is the second year that counselors have teamed with health teachers to co-teach and present the internet safety information.