Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Cadette Netiquette badge requirements.
Items needed
- Pens or pencils
- Paper (enough for at least one per scout)
- Wi-Fi or cable-connected devices (laptops, tablets, or phones) for research purposes
Instructions
- This activity can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups of three. Each scout or group should have at least one internet-connected device.
- Scouts discuss why they have social media profiles (e.g., connecting with friends, following interests) and consider who might view their profiles unintentionally (e.g., schools, employers). Discuss whether schools should ask to see a student’s profile and why.
- Scouts or groups use their devices to find three real stories or tips about how social media profiles impact professional or student life. Suggested places to search include news sites, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook. Examples might include:
- Stories of people being hired or noticed positively because of their profiles
- Stories of people facing negative consequences due to their profiles
- Tips for creating a good impression through social media
- After the research, scouts or groups briefly share the stories or tips they found. There must be at least three stories in total for the troop discussion.
- Discuss common themes in the stories, identifying positive actions that led to success and mistakes that caused issues.
Suggested sites for stories:
- Positive Stories:
- Landing jobs on social media: 10 true success stories shares examples of professionals who were hired due to their social media presence, including creative portfolios and engaging posts.
- Negative Consequences:
- 8 Times Candidates Didn’t Get Hired Because of Something They Put on Social Media highlights real-life examples of how inappropriate or unprofessional content led to missed opportunities.
- Tips for Good Impressions:
- 8 Keys to Making a Winning First Impression on Social Media provides actionable advice on how to create a positive and professional online presence.
The Badge Archive 