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Lesson

Debating the Privacy Line

Should the government have access to all your social media and cellphone data?

Grade

12

Time

55 mins.

Often, the more information we have, the better decisions we're able to make. The power of data can benefit both individuals and governments. But who can be trusted with the responsibility of having all this data? Can governments collect and use it fairly and without violating our privacy? Help students think through this question and become thoughtful influencers of data policy and practice.

Objectives:
  • Identify the pros and cons of schools having access to students' social media.

  • Describe the concerns related to government access to social media and cellphone data, including those related to free speech and privacy.

  • Choose a position for or against government access to social media and cellphone data, and support that position with reasons and examples.

Vocabulary Show definitions
Fourth Amendment to The Constitution · surveillance

Fourth Amendment to The Constitution – a law that protects people from unreasonable searches
surveillance – closely watching or keeping track of a person or people
STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
Lesson slides
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Topics 1

STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
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Key Standards Supported

Common Core ELA

L.11-12.1, L.11-12.3, L.11-12.4, L.11-12.6, RH.11-12.1, RH.11-12.10, RH.11-12.2, RH.11-12.4, RH.11-12.7, RH.11-12.8, RH.11-12.9, RI.11-12.1, RI.11-12.10, RI.11-12.2, RI.11-12.4, RI.11-12.7, SL.11-12.1, SL.11-12.1a, SL.11-12.1b, SL.11-12.1c, SL.11-12.1d, SL.11-12.2, SL.11-12.4, SL.11-12.6, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.10, W.11-12.4, W.11-12.7, W.11-12.8, WHST.11-12.1a, WHST.11-12.1b, WHST.11-12.10, WHST.11-12.4, WHST.11-12.8

ISTE

1d, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3d, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d

CASEL

4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b

AASL

I.A.2, II.A.1, III.A.1, III.A.2, V.A.1, V.A.3, VI.A.1, I.B.3, II.B.1, II.B.2, III.B.1, III.B.2, IV.B.1, IV.B.2, I.C.1, I.C.4, II.C.1, II.C.2, III.C.2, I.D.1, I.D.2, I.D.3, II.D.1, II.D.2, III.D.1, VI.D.1, II.B.3

Lesson Plan

55 mins.

Consider: Media Monitor

20 mins.

Explore: Safety Vs. Privacy

20 mins.

Create: Take a Side

15 mins.

Additional Resources

Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: August 2019

What You'll Need

In Class

  • Lesson Slides
  • Safety Vs. Privacy
    Handout
    Teacher Version
  • Lesson Quiz

For Families

  • Family Activity
  • Family Tips
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  • Family Engagement Resources
Select a resource, then open in English or Spanish.
Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: August 2019

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