This content is located in CAPS under Social Implications: Impact on Society for Grade 10.

Digital citizenship is a vital topic that helps learners navigate their online presence responsibly and ethically. As technology becomes an increasingly integral part of our lives, understanding its social implications ensures students are well-prepared for both the challenges and opportunities of the online world. For Grade 10 learners, digital citizenship includes understanding social issues, digital footprints, and the importance of adhering to the POPI Act in South Africa.

When teaching digital citizenship, educators can explore practical, real-world scenarios to make the concepts relatable and engaging for learners.

Introducing Social Issues in Digital Citizenship

Begin by exploring how the internet has transformed how people interact, communicate, and express themselves. Discuss the prevalence of social issues such as:

• Cyberbullying: Use role-play or group discussions to highlight its emotional and social impact. Have learners create anti-cyberbullying posters or infographics.
• Misinformation and Fake News: Present examples of viral fake news stories and discuss the importance of verifying sources. Encourage learners to cross-check facts using trusted websites.
• Digital Divide: Facilitate a debate about the unequal access to technology in South Africa, discussing its impact on education and career opportunities.

Digital Footprint Awareness

A person’s digital footprint is the trail of information they leave online. To illustrate this concept:

• Have learners Google themselves to see their current online presence and discuss its implications.
• Assign learners a task to create a fictional “digital footprint” for a character. This activity can help them think critically about the consequences of oversharing on social media.
• Teach them about privacy settings on popular social media platforms and the importance of securing accounts with strong passwords.

Encourage students to reflect on how their online actions could impact future opportunities, such as university applications or job interviews.

The POPI Act and Responsible Data Usage

The Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act governs how personal data is collected, processed, and stored in South Africa. Explain its relevance to learners:

• Discuss how organisations collect data (e.g., when signing up for online services) and how it must be protected under the law.
• Create scenarios where learners identify what actions comply with or violate the POPI Act. For instance, discuss whether sharing a classmate’s personal details without consent is acceptable.
• Have students draft a “privacy policy” for an imaginary app, ensuring it aligns with POPI Act guidelines. This helps them understand how companies manage user data.

Go check out more about the POPI act here.

Interactive Teaching Ideas

1. Scenario Analysis: Present real-life scenarios where poor digital citizenship led to consequences (e.g., cyberbullying cases, data breaches). Have learners discuss what went wrong and how it could have been avoided.
2. Gamification: Use online quizzes or games to test learners’ understanding of key terms like “digital footprint,” “privacy,” and “cybersecurity.”
3. Research Projects: Assign small groups to research one aspect of digital citizenship (e.g., the impact of cybercrime or how to protect personal data) and present their findings to the class.
4. Digital Contracts: Ask learners to create a personal “digital contract,” outlining their online behaviours and commitments to responsible digital citizenship.

Adapting for Under-Resourced Environments

• If devices are limited, use printed materials to explain online concepts. For example, create mock profiles on paper to illustrate a digital footprint.
• Run discussions and debates that don’t require technology but still engage learners with real-world applications.
• Use free or offline educational resources that simulate online scenarios.

By blending creativity, practical examples, and classroom discussions, educators can make the topic of digital citizenship both engaging and impactful for Grade 10 learners.