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Description

This activity is designed to help Beavers understand the importance of being a responsible digital citizen. They will map out their regular digital actions, such as launching games on a tablet or phone, and engage in a discussion about the information they leave behind. Beavers will also learn about the importance of creating a secure password using symbols and hints and play a game to reinforce this lesson. Additionally, they will learn three ways to respond positively when someone is being unkind or dishonest online, helping them develop their social and emotional skills and promoting respect and kindness online. Finally, Beavers will use Tinkercad to learn a new digital skill, encouraging their digital creativity and understanding of deepening their understanding of technology.

Resources

Paper, printer and scissors (Part 3)
Laptops (Part 5) or tablets - or paper if no access to digital equipment at site (complete something at home)

Instructions

Their are several versions of this activity - i have altered based on my knowledge as a computing teacher to try and give clearer instruction to children which is why there are now far far more details
I have written this all out in the word document attached - split by page per activity

Please check the other versions as i have made significant changes - but kept the original idea.

Please Note i have given more than 1 example of step 5 (most including me do not have enough laptops, but you may have phones or tablets)

PREPARATION
1) Cut out pieces of paper with individual secure passwords and corresponding hints in preparation for Part 3.
Print out the Internet Safety in colour (If possible) 1 or 2 copies that can be shown to the beavers / cubs)
2) Note i do not use tinkercad as i do not have enough laptops.
2) Visit https://accounts.autodesk.com/register to register a free Autodesk account. Account must be created in order to access Tinkercad (https://www.tinkercad.com/) as per Part 5. Leader should spend at least 30 minutes on https://www.tinkercad.com/learn familiarising him/herself with Tinkercad before the activity.
3) setup phones / tablets ready for activity
3) If you do not have access to the devices and do not want to use the paper version I have created
then the last section 5 can be done at home – parents to then sign to say beavers/cubs have completed a task you set.

***

Introduction (5 minutes):
• Explain to Beavers that they will be learning about being a responsible digital citizen through some fun games and activities.
• Introduce the five requirements of the Digital Citizen badge and explain that they will be working on each of them.

 
Part 1: Mapping Out Regular Digital Actions (10 minutes)
Introduce the Activity (2 minutes)
Ask Beavers: “What do you do when you play a game on a tablet, phone, or console? How do you start?”
Explain that they will create a simple picture map showing the steps they take.

Drawing Their Digital Maps (5 minutes)
Give each Beaver a sheet of paper and colored pencils.
Ask them to draw or trace the steps they follow when starting a game.
Example steps:
Turn on the device.
Enter a password (if needed).
Choose the game/app.
Press “Play”.
Encourage them to use arrows to show the order of actions.
If they finish quickly - ask them how they close the app (or do they simply turn off the device) - links to next part
Draw the steps for another device, phone, tablet, game console etc

What happens to the app (Hint - left running in memory which means your still logged into it!)

Group Discussion (3 minutes)
Have Beavers share their maps with their lodge.
Ask: “Did anyone have different steps?”
Encourage them to think of other digital actions (e.g., watching a video, taking a picture).

 
Part 2: Information Left Behind (5 minutes)
Start with a Simple Question (1 minute)
Ask: “When you play a game on a phone or tablet, do you think it knows something about you?”
Explain that games and apps can remember things about the player.

The Digital Footprint Game (2 minutes)
Tell Beavers: “Imagine you are walking on a muddy path. What happens when you walk?” (They leave footprints.)
Explain: “When you use a game or app, you leave ‘digital footprints’—bits of information about you!”
Ask them to guess what information might be collected (e.g., name, age, location, what they play).

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down (2 minutes)
Say some statements and ask Beavers to show thumbs up if okay, thumbs down if not okay:
It’s okay to share your real name with a game. (? Not okay!)
It’s okay to share a nickname instead of your real name. (? Okay!)
It’s okay to tell a stranger online where you live. (? Not okay!)
It’s okay to ask an adult before sharing information online. (? Okay!)

Wrap Up (30 seconds)
Leader’s Wrap-Up Script

"Great job, everyone! We’ve learned that when we play games or use apps, we leave behind little bits of information, just like footprints in the mud. This is called a ‘digital footprint.’ Some information, like our first name or a fun nickname, is okay to share. But other things, like where we live or how old we are, should stay private.

"Whenever you want to share something online, always ask a trusted adult first—like a parent, teacher, or leader. If you're not sure, it's always best to check! Remember: the internet is fun, but we need to stay safe too!"
Remind them: “Always ask an adult before sharing information online. Some information should stay private!”

 
Part 3: Creating a Secure and Manageable Password (10 minutes)
Objective:
Beavers will learn how to create a strong password for important accounts while understanding that they don’t need a different password for every single app or game.
________________________________________
1. Introduction: Why Do We Need Passwords? (2 minutes)
• Ask Beavers: "Where have you seen a password before?" (e.g., phones, tablets, school accounts).
• Explain: "A password is like a key. It keeps our stuff safe from people who shouldn’t get in."
• Important Rule: "A strong password is hard for others to guess but easy for you to remember!"
? Misconception Alert: Some Beavers may think they don’t need a password if they don’t have a phone.
✅ Leader Response: "You might not need one now, but when you do, you’ll know how to make a strong one!"
________________________________________
2. Password Matching Game (4 minutes) - digital citizen passwords reworked and passwords and hints
• Setup:
o Use either (or both) password documents Game
Shuffle the cut squares and place them on the tables.
• Activity:
o Beavers take turns picking a password and trying to match it to the correct hint.
o If they match correctly, they keep the pair.
o The Beaver with the most pairs at the end wins.
• Activity: Print out the A4### Password Matching Worksheet2 and hand to individuals (or pairs)
? Discussion after the game:
• Ask: "What makes these passwords strong?" (Different letters, numbers, and symbols).
• Ask: "Why shouldn’t we use ‘password’ or our name?" (Too easy to guess).
? Misconception Alert: Some Beavers may say, "I can just use my birthday!"
✅ Leader Response: "Good idea, but birthdays are easy for others to guess. Let’s pick something more special!"

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3. When to Use a Strong Password (2 minutes)
• Ask: "Do we need a tricky password for every game?"
o ✖ No! Fun apps and games that don’t ask for personal info can share a password.
o ✔ Yes! Important accounts (school, emails, parent’s phone apps) need strong passwords.
• Explain: "We should never share our password with friends, but we can tell a trusted adult if we forget it!"
? Misconception Alert: Some Beavers may say, "My parents use the same password for everything!"
✅ Leader Response: "Some adults do, but it’s safer to use different passwords for important things!"
________________________________________
4. Creating an Easy-to-Remember but Strong Password (2 minutes)
This is already part of the cub worksheet – but could be adapted / used if needed
• Teach Beavers how to make their own strong password using this fun method:
1. Pick three words (e.g., "Lego", "Pizza", "Dog").
2. Add a number (e.g., "LegoPizza42").
3. Add a symbol (e.g., "LegoPizza42!").
• Example Password: "TigerBalloon99?" (Something easy to remember but hard for others to guess!).
? Misconception Alert: Some Beavers may ask, "Can I tell my best friend my password?"
✅ Leader Response: "Nope! Passwords are just for you and a trusted adult."



________________________________________

5. Leader’s Wrap-Up (Read Out to Beavers)
"Great work, everyone! We learned that passwords are like keys—they keep important things safe. If you need to make a password, pick three fun words, add a number, and a symbol. And remember: always ask an adult before sharing personal information online!"
? Final Reminder:
• Strong passwords for important things.
• The same password can be used for fun apps (if they don’t ask for personal details).
• Never share passwords, except with a trusted adult.

 
Part 4: Responding Positively (5 minutes)
1. Introduction – “How Do We Act Online?” (1 Minute)
• Ask Beavers: "How do we talk to our friends in real life? Should we be kind or unkind?"
• Explain: "Just like in real life, we should always be kind and honest when we talk to people online."
________________________________________
2. The 3 Ways to Respond (3 Minutes)
Use actions and simple role-play to reinforce each response:
1️ Ignoring Negative Behavior
• "If someone is being unkind online, should we argue back?" (No!)
• Teach them to walk away (or swipe away!) instead of responding to negativity.
2️ Being Kind
• Ask: "If we see someone being mean, how can we help?"
• Encourage them to say something positive or support a friend who is being treated unfairly.
• Example: If someone says “That picture is silly!”, they could reply with “I think it’s great!”
3️ Telling an Adult
• Explain: "If someone is being really mean or makes you feel bad, always tell a trusted adult!"
• Ask Beavers to name who they could tell (e.g., parent, teacher, leader).
________________________________________
3. Quick Group Activity – "Kind or Not Kind?" (1 Minute)
• Leader says different online situations, and Beavers show ? for kind and ? for not kind.
o “Telling a friend they made a great drawing.” (?)
o “Calling someone’s game bad.” (?)
o “Helping someone who is upset online.” (?)
o “Telling an adult when someone is being unkind.” (?)
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4. Wrap-Up: Leader’s Message (30 Seconds)
"Well done, everyone! Remember, if you see someone being unkind online, you can choose to ignore them, be kind, or tell an adult. The internet should be a happy and safe place for everyone!"
 

ORIGINAL OPTION: Laptop Required
Part 5: Learning a New Skill Online (20 minutes)
• Introduce Tinkercad as a free online tool to learn digital design.
• Explain how to use Tinkercad and its tools.
• Set up a challenge for the Beavers to create a simple design such as a house (box and roof shape) using Tinkercad.
• Give the Beavers 20 minutes to complete the challenge in pairs and create their design.

Part 5: Option 2: Phone/Tablet-Based – Digital Art with Sketchbook (20 minutes)
Objective: Beavers will learn how to create digital designs using a simple drawing app.
Setup:
• Use Sketchbook (free app on tablets/phones) or any simple drawing app.
• Beavers work in pairs on a device.
Instructions:
1. Introduce Digital Drawing (5 minutes)
o Explain: "Artists and designers use digital tools to create pictures, just like we use crayons and paper!"
o Show basic tools: brush, eraser, color picker.
2. Set a Design Challenge (15 minutes)
o Ask them to draw a simple house (square, triangle roof, windows, and door).
o Encourage creativity—add trees, a sun, or a pet!
o If time allows, let them share their designs with the group.
✅ Why This Works:
• Uses devices Beavers are familiar with.
• No sign-ups or accounts needed.
• Reinforces digital skills in a fun way.
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Part 5: Option 3: Paper-Based – “Draw Your Own Digital World” (20 minutes)
Objective: Beavers will plan a digital world as if they were designing a game or app.
Instructions:
1. Explain the Activity (5 minutes)
o "Imagine you’re creating a new video game! What would it look like? Would it have a city, a jungle, or space?"
o Give each Beaver a blank piece of paper.
2. Design Their Digital World (15 minutes)
o Ask them to draw their world as a map or a game screen.
o Encourage them to label parts of their world (e.g., “This is where the player starts!”).
3. Optional Sharing (5 minutes)
o Beavers can show their designs and explain what happens in their digital world.
✅ Why This Works:
• No tech required.
• Encourages imagination while linking to digital design.

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Badge Links

• Digital Citizen - Actions
• Digital Citizen - Help
• Digital Citizen - Password
• Digital Citizen - Skill