 A Puerto Rican UX researcher leads a workshop for mothers and their teenage daughters on "Protected Access: Owning Your Digital Space." The diverse group, with a variety of hairstyles and backgrounds, sits around a table with laptops open, bathed in natural light from the large windows. Scene: Multimedia Center, After-School Recreation Center The room is filled with soft chatter, posters of tech careers on the walls, and a big screen displaying the words: “Protected Access: Owning Your Digital Space”. Nicole Bakula sits in a circle with the girls and their mothers, laptops and tablets open on the table. Nicole: (smiling, adjusting her seat) Hey, buenas tardes, everyone. I’m so happy to be here with you all. So, today, I want to talk about something that’s big for me… like really big. Access to technology is amazing, right? But, for me… it’s all about protected access. Because you can give somebody a computer, a phone, a connection—but if it’s not safe? That access can get messy, fast. Celia: (leaning forward) What do you mean by “protected”? Like, passwords? Nicole: Passwords, sí… but also more than that. I work in privacy. My job is kind of funny—sometimes I joke that we researchers “stalk” people, but in a good way—we want to know what apps you love, why you love them. But we also protect you. Like, I don’t just collect data, I guard it. And at home, I have this little thing—a Raspberry Pi—it blocks trackers, ads, all that noise. Makes me feel at ease. Like, okay, I’m in control of my space. Esperanza: (nodding) My phone’s always full of random ads. Like, I just say something out loud, and boom—I see it on Instagram. Nicole: (laughs knowingly) Oh, girl, that’s real. That’s why protected access matters. We can love tech, but tech doesn’t always love us back, you know? Nina (mother): I try to watch what my daughter does online, but sometimes I feel like I’m behind. They click on things so fast… I don’t know what’s safe anymore. Nicole: Nina, you’re not alone. It’s hard. That’s why we gotta have these talks, because protection is teamwork. Like, Esperanza, let’s say you’re clicking on that ad—what do you think it wants from you? Esperanza: My money… or my info. Nicole: Exactly. And once your info is out there, you don’t always control it. That’s the part that makes me wary. So I set limits—I barely use social media. Not because I hate it… but because I want choice in what I share, when I share it. Assata: But what if I wanna post my poem online? I want people to read it, but not steal it. Nicole: I love that question. That’s where protected access gives you power, not just tech. You can:
Ruby (mother): My biggest fear is someone pretending to be them online. Like catfishing. It’s scary. Nicole: Yup, that’s real too. It’s not just hackers—it’s people misusing what we share. That’s why I tell every girl I mentor: before you click, before you post, ask yourself: 1️⃣ Do I control where this goes? 2️⃣ Do I trust who’s on the other side of the screen? If the answer is no, maybe keep it close until you’re sure. Frida (mother): My daughter loves drawing and wants to start an online art page. But I don’t know what’s safe for a 12-year-old. Nicole: Frida, I’d say you two can set up layers of safety—like training wheels:
Nicole: (nodding passionately) That’s why I do this work. Giving access is not enough—we need protected access, where kids can dream big, learn big, and stay safe. Because you all deserve a future online that’s wide open—but not wide open to harm. Erykah (mother): I like that… access with protection. Feels like teaching them to swim with a lifeguard there. Nicole: Exactly. The internet is a big ocean. I just want to make sure every one of you has a life jacket, a map, and someone watching your back while you swim. (The girls exchange glances, nodding. A sense of mutual understanding fills the room as mothers and daughters begin sharing small “safety pledges” they’ll try at home—like checking privacy settings together or pausing before clicking “post.”) Reflect & Write: Guarding Your Digital Space Instructions: Read the prompts below and write your thoughts in your journal or digital notes. If you’re working with your mom or guardian, take turns answering and then share your ideas with each other.
🔐 Digital Detectives: Guarding Your Space in a Connected World Objective: To empower girls and their mothers to investigate how technology interacts with their personal data, recognize risks, and create a personal “Guard Plan” for safe online engagement—demonstrating advanced digital literacy skills through self-led discovery and teamwork. Materials Needed:
Activity Instructions Step 1: Detective Mission Brief (5 min) Read this aloud together: “Today, we’re digital detectives. Our mission is to find out how our favorite apps or devices see, hear, and track us—and then make a plan to guard our space while still enjoying technology.” Each of you chooses one app or device you use often (examples: TikTok, Instagram, Google Maps, Alexa, school Chromebook). Step 2: Search Engine Investigation (15 min) Use a search engine to answer:
Step 3: Generative AI Analysis (15–20 min) Open ChatGPT or Gemini and ask:
💬 Talk it out: Do the AI tips match what you found online? Which do you trust more? Step 4: Risk vs. Benefit Discussion (10 min) Together, discuss and write your answers:
Step 5: Build Your 3-Step Guard Plan (15 min) Using everything you’ve learned, write a personal “Guard Your Space Plan” in your journal:
Optional Challenge (After the Activity)
Learning Outcomes: By completing this activity, you will:
💬 Conversation Starters Here’s a Bonus Page of Conversation Starters designed for girls and their mothers (or guardians) to keep the discussion about guarding their digital spaces alive at home.
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 An Afro-Latina MarTech Publicist leads a workshop on online safety and creativity for a diverse group of mothers and their teenage daughters in a cozy after-school community room. Scene: A cozy community room in the after-school center. Posters about online safety and creativity hang on the walls. Jazmin sits in a circle with a group of mothers and their daughters. Jazmin: Good afternoon, everyone. I’m really grateful to be here today. Technology is a big part of our lives—it connects us, it teaches us, it gives us opportunities we couldn’t have imagined twenty years ago. But… there’s something else I always remind myself: as much as there’s opportunity, there’s also real threat. And that’s what I want us to talk about together. Selena (curious): What do you mean by threat? Like, hackers? Jazmin: That’s part of it, Selena. But I also mean… the way someone might misuse what we share. The internet can be a beautiful thing—but it doesn’t always have good intentions on the other side of the screen. You may post a picture because you feel happy or confident, but you don’t control where it goes next. That’s the kind of threat I want us to be mindful of. Ruby (mother): I understand that. But sometimes, as a parent, I don’t know how much is too much when it comes to watching what they do on their phones. Jazmin (pauses thoughtfully): Ruby, I get that. I grew up in a Latin household, and I know there’s this… level of uncertainty, sometimes mistrust, about what young people are doing online. And honestly, it’s not because parents don’t love or trust their kids—it’s because this technology can take things in directions none of us expect. It’s big. It’s powerful. And yes, it can go really well… or it can go really bad. Sonia: But there are good things too, right? Like, I want to post my art online. I want people to see it. Jazmin (smiling): Oh, absolutely. That’s the opportunity part, Sonia. Sharing your art can open doors—you could inspire people, you could build a career one day from the creativity you show now. Technology gives you that stage. My only advice is: treat that stage with care. Ask yourself: Am I okay with this picture, this thought, this moment being seen by anyone, anywhere, forever? If the answer’s no… maybe keep it just for you, or share it privately. Coretta (mother): I try to set boundaries, but my daughter says I don’t understand what’s really going on online. Jazmin: And that’s where the second part of this conversation comes in. Girls, I think you can help your parents understand why you use technology. Sometimes adults think it's all a waste of time—just scrolling or playing games. But there are skills you’re building, even from video games or chatting with friends, that matter. The more open you are about why it matters to you, the more trust you build. Zora: So, like, I should tell my mom why I’m posting a dance video, not just do it? Jazmin: Exactly, Zora. It’s not about asking permission—it’s about making sure the people who love you know what’s on your mind and how you’re using these tools. That way, they’re not guessing or worrying. Dolores (mother): Jazmin, if you had to tell these girls just one rule to stay safe, what would it be? Jazmin (choosing words carefully): One rule… I’d say this: Always remember there’s a real human behind the screen. Some will lift you up, others might try to harm or trick you. So be kind, be cautious, and never share something you wouldn’t want the whole world to see. Ava: Even if I think it’s just between me and my best friend? Jazmin: Even then, Ava. Screens can’t promise you privacy. But they can give you incredible opportunities if you treat what you post with care. That’s how you build safety and freedom online. Truth (mother): I like that… be kind, be cautious. Jazmin: Yes. Technology is a gift—but like any powerful tool, it needs wisdom. And that wisdom? It comes from conversations like this one, from listening to each other, and from thinking before we tap “post.” 📝 Reflect & WriteInstructions: Read the prompts below and write your thoughts in your journal or digital notepad. If you’re working with your mom or guardian, take turns answering and then share your ideas with each other.
🎯 Spot the Opportunity or Threat? Goal: Practice identifying online situations as opportunities, threats, or a mix of both. How to Play:
Scenarios:
Wrap-Up Discussion:
🔎 Search Smart, Think Twice Objective: To help girls (Grades 6–12) and their mothers collaboratively:
Materials Needed:
Activity Steps Step 1 – Scenario Selection (5 min) Each mother-daughter team chooses one real-world scenario from the list or creates their own:
Step 2 – Search & Gather (10 min) Teams will:
Step 3 – Ask the AI (10 min) Teams will:
Step 4 – Click, Post & Use with Care Checklist (5 min) Using both sources, teams create a short decision-making checklist:
Step 5 – Present & Reflect (10 min) Each team shares:
Digital Literacy Skills Demonstrated:
Extension Challenge: For teams comfortable with technology:
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AuthorThis blog post was created through a collaborative effort, incorporating valuable insights from contributors, prompt engineering and editing by Dr. Jordan, and the assistance of ChatGPT and Gemini for generating and refining content. Archives
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