S1.0 - Private Info, Public World

Reflect and Write: What is Personal Information and Why Does it Matter?

1. Why do you think it's a bad idea to post your home address online?
   Write about what could happen if someone you don’t know finds out where you live.
   
2. Have you ever seen someone share their phone number online?
   How did it make you feel? What advice would you give them?
   
3. Think about your email address.
   Who should be allowed to see it, and why should you keep it private?
   
4. What does “Stranger Danger” mean in the digital world?
   How is it the same or different from danger in real life?
   
5. Imagine someone online starts asking personal questions like “Where do you live?” or “What school do you go to?”
   What would you do? Why is it important to think before you answer?
   
6. Have you ever chatted with someone online that you didn’t know in real life?
   What steps did you take to stay safe—or what would you do differently next time?
   
7. Why do you think some people feel safe sharing personal information on social media?
   What are some risks they might not be thinking about?
   
8. If your younger cousin or sibling asked you about sharing personal info online, what would you tell them?
   Write a short letter giving them three safety tips.
   

A stylish African-American Social Media Security Specialist with striking purple braided locks thoughtfully holds a smartphone in a modern office environment.

Social Media Security Specialist 📱🧠
Protects users’ personal information and accounts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Investigates phishing attacks, prevents account takeovers, and designs better privacy settings.

After-school Tech Club Meeting
​Jazmin walks into the room smiling, her notebook in hand and her curly hair pulled into a puff. A group of about 10 girls of various backgrounds, ages 12–17, are waiting with snacks and open minds.

Jazmin: Hey everyone! It’s so good to see y’all again. Before we start, raise your hand if you’ve posted something online in the last 24 hours.
(Most hands go up. One girl raises both hands.)

Jazmin (laughing): Okay, two hands? What were you posting? Spill it.

Layla (13, playfully): A dance video and a “Get Ready With Me” from this morning. I was feelin’ myself!

Jazmin: Yesss, confidence! Love that. Now tell me… did you check your background before you posted?

Layla (pauses): Um… I think so? Wait—my house number might’ve been on the mailbox behind me.

Jazmin (gently): That’s real. It happens. But let’s talk about why that’s not just a detail—it’s personal. It’s location information. If someone wanted to find you... they could.

Destiny (14): Like those people who find where celebrities live?

Jazmin: Exactly. But you're the star in your story, too. You don’t need a million followers to have someone watching. Safety starts with protecting what’s yours—like your home address, phone number, and even your email.

Imani (16, raising hand): I actually had something happen last year. I was talking to someone online who seemed cool—like funny, always complimenting my outfits. But then he asked what school I went to... and I told him.
(Room gets quiet.)

Imani (voice shaking): Turns out, he was a grown man. Not even close to being a teen. My mom found out after he sent me a weird message about meeting up after practice. I was so embarrassed and scared. I felt dumb.

Jazmin (softly): Imani, thank you for being brave. You're not dumb. You were trusting—there’s a difference. That could happen to any of us. I’m glad you're safe.
(A few girls tear up. One hugs Imani. Jazmin places a hand over her heart.)

Marisol (15): Wait, so... are emails a big deal too? I thought it was just spam I had to worry about.

Jazmin: Good question! Emails are like keys to your digital life. If someone gets into your email, they can reset your passwords, read your personal messages, even pretend to be you.

Tiana (12): That happened to my cousin! Someone hacked her email and sent weird stuff to her teacher. She almost got suspended!

Jazmin: See? That’s a real consequence. Whether it’s your phone number, home address, or just chatting online--every piece of info is a puzzle piece. Don’t let strangers complete your puzzle.

Jazmin (lightening the mood): Okay, let’s do a quick test. I say the info—you say “Keep it private” if we shouldn’t share it.

• Home address?
  Girls: Keep it private!
• Phone number?
  Girls: Keep it private!
• Your middle name and your favorite color combined as your password?
  Layla: Keep it private, but also… bad password, sis.
  (Laughter fills the room.)

Jazmin: Right?! Let’s not make it easy. And look—I’m not saying never share anything. I’m saying: share smart. Ask yourself, “Would I want someone I don’t know to see this?”

Imani (smiling a little): Now I ask myself: “Would Jazmin approve?”
(They all laugh again, and Jazmin wipes a tear while laughing.)

Jazmin: I love y’all. But even more, I want you safe. When you show up online, let it be on your terms—not someone else’s. Got it?

​All Girls:
Got it!

✨ Personal Information & Online Safety
 
🧠 Quick Recap
In today’s story, Jazmin met with a group of girls to talk about staying safe online. They talked about personal information, stranger danger, and real-life examples of what can happen when people share too much.


✍🏽 Reflect & Write Questions

1. What are three pieces of personal information that you should keep private online?
2. In your own words, why is it important to keep your home address and phone number off the internet?
3. Imani shared a serious experience in the story. What stood out to you about her story?
4. Think about your social media or online profiles. Are there any changes you might want to make after hearing this conversation? Explain.
5. Jazmin said, “Every piece of info is a puzzle piece. Don’t let strangers complete your puzzle.” What do you think that means?
6. Write a message or tip you would give to someone younger than you about staying safe online: "Hey there! One thing you should always remember when you're online is..." 

🔐 Interactive Activity: Social Media Safety Audit & Edit Challenge

Goal: Identify and edit or remove Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from images and videos shared or stored digitally.

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Team Up
Pair up: Each girl works with her mother (or guardian/mentor). This is a chance to teach and learn from one another. You will need to work from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

2. Search & Audit: The Safety Scan
🔍Time: 15–20 minutes
Check all the following locations for photos or videos that might include PII:

• Social media posts (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, etc.)
• Phone camera roll
• Desktop or cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, etc.)

Look for things like:

• 🏠 Home addresses (mailboxes, house numbers, street signs)
• 📞 Phone numbers
• 📧 Email addresses
• 🚘 License plate numbers
• 🧍 Faces of strangers or people who didn’t give permission
• 🖼️ School logos or uniforms
• 📍Visible locations (storefronts, landmarks)

Make a list of images/videos that contain any PII.

3. Decide: Delete, Edit, or Keep with Caution 🧠
With each image/video on your list, decide:

• Delete it completely if it's unnecessary or too revealing
• Edit it to remove or cover PII
• Keep it as is only if it’s truly safe and appropriate

4. Edit Like a Pro: The Blur, Crop, and Cover-Up 🛠️
Now it's time to edit those images/videos—this is the fun, hands-on part!
Use your phone’s built-in editor, Instagram story tools, or free apps like:

• Snapseed
• PicsArt
• Canva
• CapCut (for video)
• YouTube Studio (for blurring faces or backgrounds)

Challenge: Apply at least 2 of the following edits:

• 🟦 Blur license plates or faces of strangers
• ✂️ Crop out sensitive parts of an image (address, ID badge, school sign)
• 🧷 Cover with stickers or emojis (mailbox, child’s face, logos)
• 🪄 Replace background using filters or green screen features

5. Bonus Round: Practice with Sample Pics 📸
If you didn’t find any PII in your personal content, select “practice photos” to test your editing skills.

6. Reflect & Share: Lessons Learned 💬
​Answer these questions together in a digital journal, notepad, or worksheet:

• What surprised you about what you found?
• What editing tool or technique was most helpful to you?
• How will this activity change the way you post or share images online?
• What lessons about Personally Identifiable Information (PII) would you teach to someone younger than you?