Digital Identity and Online Privacy

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Use high-level vocabulary related to surveillance and digital privacy
  • Understand the implications of data tracking through a listening task
  • Express and support opinions on privacy in the digital age
  • Write a persuasive opinion essay with clear structure and argumentation

Level: C1
Time: 90 minutes
Focus: Technology and Society
Skills: Listening, Speaking, Writing
Theme: Digital Footprints and Privacy in a Hyperconnected World

Reading: Living Online: Who Owns Your Digital Identity?”

Warm-Up Discussion (10 minutes)

Prompts (in pairs or small groups):

    • What does “digital identity” mean to you?
    • How much information about yourself is online right now?
    • Do you ever feel like you’re being watched online?
    • Would you give up some privacy for more convenience or safety?
  • Optional Extension: Show an example of a targeted ad and ask, “How do you think they knew this would interest you?”

Vocabulary Focus (15 minutes)

Target Words & Phrases:

  • Surveillance
  • Data breach
  • Digital footprint
  • Two-factor authentication
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Facial recognition
  • Metadata
  • Digital detox
  • Terms and conditions
  • Incognito mode

Activity: Match terms to definitions
Then, discuss in pairs:

  • Have you experienced or heard of any of these terms in real life?
  • Which do you find helpful, and which do you find worrying?

Listening Task (20 minutes)

Podcast excerpt: (e.g., “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism” or a TED Talk like “What Your Data Reveals About You”)
If unavailable, a pre-recorded segment or transcript can be used.

While Listening Tasks:

  • Note 3 ways companies collect data without your knowledge
  • Identify one benefit and one risk of data collection mentioned

Post-Listening Questions:

  1. What was the speaker’s main message?
  2. Were any examples of unethical data use mentioned?
  3. Did the speaker seem biased or neutral? What language showed that?

Optional Language Focus: Identify hedging or cautious language:

  • “It appears that…”
  • “Some researchers argue…”
  • “One could interpret this as…”

Speaking Task (20 minutes)

Debate Statements:

  • “Privacy is an illusion in the digital age.”
  • “Companies should pay users for their data.”
  • “If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.”
  • “Everyone should take a digital detox once a year.”

Instructions:

  • Choose a statement and prepare 2-3 arguments
  • Include persuasive language and rhetorical questions
  • Take turns presenting and responding to counterarguments

Writing Task (20 minutes)

Essay Title: “Privacy is dead. Get over it.”

Instructions:

  • Write an opinion essay (150–200 words)
  • Use linking expressions and hedging language
  • Structure: Introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion
  • Address both sides of the argument before giving your stance

Useful Language:

  • While some argue that…
  • It could be said that…
  • Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that…
  • In conclusion, I believe that…

Wrap-Up & Homework (5 minutes)

Final Reflection Questions:

  • How do you protect your online privacy?
  • What’s one thing you’ll do differently after today’s lesson?
1. What is a digital footprint?
2. What is the primary concern with data breaches?
3. What does the term “digital detox” mean?

Listening Task

Podcast Title: What Your Data Reveals About You (or substitute your own source)

While Listening:

  1. Write three ways companies collect your data:
  2. Identify one benefit and one risk of data collection:
    • Benefit: ___________________________
    • Risk: ___________________________

Post-Listening Questions:

  • What was the main idea of the podcast?
  • Did the speaker support or question data tracking? What language helped you decide?

Speaking – Mini Debate

Instructions: Choose one of the statements below. Prepare to defend your opinion using persuasive language.

  1. “Privacy is an illusion in the digital age.”
  2. “Companies should pay users for their data.”
  3. “Everyone should take a digital detox once a year.”

Prepare:

  • 2–3 key arguments:
  • Useful phrases:
    • “One could argue that…”
    • “A major concern is…”
    • “On the other hand…”
    • “From my perspective…”

Writing Task

Essay Title: “Privacy is dead. Get over it.”

Instructions: Write a short opinion essay (150–200 words) expressing your viewpoint. Address both sides of the argument and conclude with your opinion.

Structure Guide:

  • Introduction: Introduce the topic
  • Body 1: Arguments supporting the statement
  • Body 2: Arguments against the statement
  • Conclusion: Your final position

Language to include:

  • Hedging (e.g., “It seems that…”, “Some suggest…”)
  • Connectors (e.g., “however”, “on the contrary”, “in conclusion”)

Homework:

Edit and polish your essay. Submit it next class. Be ready to share a 1-minute summary of your argument with a partner.

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