This content is located in CAPS under Social Implications: Impact on Society for Grade 12.

The misuse of personal information is a vital topic for equipping students with the awareness to protect themselves in a world increasingly driven by data. Teaching this concept in Grade 12 allows for critical engagement with real-world issues like privacy, cybercrime, and ethical considerations in technology.

Start the discussion by connecting to their lived experiences. Students often share personal details on social media or use services requiring sensitive information. This makes them stakeholders in understanding how personal information can be exploited and the potential consequences.

Making the Topic Practical and Relatable

1. Social Media Investigation Activity Ask students to analyse the privacy policies of popular social media platforms. Provide printed or digital copies of policies for platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Break students into groups to answer questions like:
   • What types of personal information are collected?
   • How is this information used?
   • What rights do users have?

   Encourage students to compare platforms and present their findings. This activity integrates analytical thinking and helps students reflect on their online behaviours.

2. Interactive Case Study: The Data Breach Present a scenario involving a fictional company suffering a data breach where customers’ personal data is leaked. Divide the class into roles such as company representatives, customers, and ethical hackers. Discuss:
   • How should the company respond?
   • What are the ethical implications of how the data was handled?
   • What preventive measures could have been implemented?

   This simulation provides a hands-on approach to understanding the real-world impacts of personal information misuse.

3. Digital Footprint Mapping Have students trace their digital footprints by identifying all online platforms where they have an account. Then, discuss:
   • What information is publicly visible?
   • Are their profiles secure?
   • How could someone misuse this information?

   This can lead to a conversation on securing accounts and understanding the long-term implications of their digital footprint.

4. Guest Speaker Invite an expert, such as a cybersecurity professional or legal advisor, to discuss how personal data is protected and the laws governing privacy in South Africa, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). A Q&A session will make the discussion more engaging and personalised.
5. Create Awareness Campaigns Students can design posters or digital campaigns aimed at educating peers about protecting their personal information. This creative task not only reinforces their understanding but also develops communication and design skills.

Practical Considerations for Under-Resourced Environments

• Use physical copies of privacy policies and case studies for schools with limited digital access.
• Replace the guest speaker with online videos or articles about data protection laws in South Africa.
• Encourage students to role-play scenarios without needing extensive materials.

Critical Thinking Applications

These activities engage students at different levels of Bloom’s taxonomy:

• Remembering: Identifying what constitutes personal information.
• Understanding: Explaining how misuse occurs and its implications.
• Applying: Analysing privacy policies or mapping digital footprints.
• Evaluating: Debating ethical concerns in case studies.
• Creating: Designing awareness campaigns or solutions.

Invite your colleagues to try these ideas and share their feedback. How do you make abstract concepts like personal information misuse tangible and relevant to your students?