The Badge Archive

Sticky Note Share

Info Needed for badge requirements: Personally Identifiable Information (PII) includes details like your name, birthday, address, email, phone number, or password—anything that identifies you. Sharing PII online can lead to risks like hacking or identity theft. To stay safe: Don’t share PII with strangers online. Even small details, like your favorite color, can reveal more about you when combined with other information. Always think carefully about what you share and how much you share.

Items Needed

  • Sticky notes, prepared in advance for scouts
  • Poster board, or whiteboard divided into two columns: “Share” and “Not Share” OR two papers, each with their own heading.

Instructions

  1. Hand out sticky notes equally among scouts.
  2. Explain that you will call out different situations, and scouts will place their sticky notes under “Share” or “Not Share” based on who they think should receive the information.
  3. Begin with this example: “You are lost and can’t find your way home. Who would you share your address with?” Scouts place their sticky notes in the appropriate column.
  4. After each situation, discuss the placements on the board and check if everyone agrees. Answers may vary, and a short discussion can help clarify choices.
  5. Continue with additional situations:
    • “You see a stranger contacting your friend on their computer, and you are worried they could be in danger. Who would you share this with?”
    • “Someone wants to know your birthday. Who would you tell?”
    • “Someone wants to know your phone number. Who would you give it to?”
  6. Discuss why certain people might ask for this information, such as a teacher needing login details for school or a coach needing an address to send something to parents.
  7. Explain that going online is like real life: there are trusted people you can share information with and others you should not. Emphasize that it’s important not to share personal details with strangers online.
  8. If time allows, invite scouts to suggest their own situations and play them out.

Sticky Note Suggestions

Safe to Share Personal Information Examples:

  • Favorite color
  • Favorite animal
  • Favorite sport or activity
  • Hobbies
  • Favorite book or movie
  • Favorite food

Private Personal Information Examples:

  • Full name
  • Age
  • Home address
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • School name
  • Parents’ names

Scenarios for Sharing Information Examples:

  • Sharing your address with a trusted adult, like a teacher or law enforcement officer
  • Sharing your phone number with a coach for practice updates
  • Sharing your name with friends for school projects
  • Sharing your parents’ phone number with a trusted adult, like a teacher or school nurse, in case of an emergency.
  • Sharing your favorite hobby with a classmate during a group project.
  • Sharing your username with a friend for an online game you both enjoy.
  • Sharing your favorite book with your librarian to find more books you might enjoy.

Scenarios for Not Sharing Information Examples:

  • Sharing your birthday with a stranger online
  • Sharing your address with someone you don’t know on social media
  • Sharing your school name with someone you’ve just met online
  • Sharing your email address with someone you don’t know online.
  • Sharing details about your daily schedule with strangers in a chatroom.
  • Sharing your home phone number with someone asking for it during an online game.
  • Sharing photos of yourself or your family with someone you’ve never met online.
Tia Kennard