Cadette Digital Leadership

Be the change you want to see! Think of leaders in your life and history. They not only
inspire and guide people, but also show the way to create a better world.

Leaders today have to act in both the real and digital world, or the world of technology.
They help create an inclusive and honest environment online and take care of
themselves and others in the digital world. They share information, make plans, and
connect with others to mobilize their network around causes they care about.

In this badge, discover the digital world around you and use technology to make
a difference.

Steps
1. Discover your digital landscape
2. Investigate the digital world
3. Design a digital community
4. Create content for change
5. Share your process

Purpose
When I’ve earned this badge, I will know
how technology can be used to make a
difference. I’ll know how to make the internet
a better place for myself and others.

Cadette
 Words to Know

Avatars: Digital characters used online, especially in video games. They can wear different clothing,
accessories, and hairstyles.

Bias: A belief or opinion that affects how we perceive and treat others—it can be an aversion or a
preference.

Catfish: Someone who pretends to be someone they’re not online.

Data: Another word for information.

Digital community: Who and what you interact with online, including people and organizations.

Digital content: Something created to be used or shared online, like a video, meme, slideshow, or
online presentation.

Digital footprint: The trail of what you do online. It’s generated automatically when you move around
and act in the digital world. It includes the people and causes you follow, the apps you use, and the
networks you’re a part of.

Digital landscape: All the things you do with technology, including the devices you use (like
smartphones, tablets, or computers), the platforms or tools you use (like websites, apps, social media,
email, and messaging), who you connect with, and anything you do to put a message online.

Digital leadership: When you use technology to protect yourself and inspire and guide other people.

Hashtag activism or slacktivism: Online activism that creates a lot of talk, or “likes,” but may not
create change or progress in the real world.

Intersectionality: Understanding how the systems of inequality in society create unique biases
against people with multiple stereotyped identities.

Misinformation: Information that’s incorrect or false but presented as true. It’s often created on
purpose and spread digitally.

Persona: An aspect of someone’s personality that they present to others.

Phishing: A kind of cyberattack where someone may try to get your private information by pretending
to be a person or business you trust. It can happen by email, chat, or text.

Stereotype: A characteristic or trait—whether positive or negative—that is associated with an identity

group. It is often an oversimplification or exaggeration about the group.

Troll: A person who intentionally starts fights online with mean comments.

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Step 1: Discover your Map your digital landscape. Infographics are a visual

digital landscape way of showing data. Create an infographic or concept

map showing how you use technology throughout the
day. Include the apps or platforms, what you do, why
Your digital landscape is everything you do with
and how often you use them, and how you feel when you
technology, including what you do online, what you
use them. Show your digital connections, like who you
observe, and how you act. A computer, smartphone,
emailed or messaged with and why. Then analyze your
or tablet is your passport to the digital world. You
data to find ways to be more intentional with technology,
can discover platforms and tools, like websites, apps,
like not looking at devices right before trying to sleep or
games, social media, email, and messaging.
deciding not to use a certain app anymore.
The groups you belong to or follow online are your
digital community. Do you connect for school online? Show online action with art. How can you impact the
That’s a digital community. Play video games with real world from the digital world? Choose a community
friends? Also a digital community. What about texting, you’re a part of, like your family, friends, school, or Girl
emailing, or video chatting with friends and family? Scout troop. Then identify a cause you care about and
They’re in your digital community, too. create artwork to show how you’d like your community
to help online and offline. How can technology help
In the real world, people might leave footprints in the
you come together and create change? What are your
mud, sand, or snow as they move from place to place.
resources and reach? What impact do you want to have?
We leave footprints in the digital world, too. Many
Choose any artistic medium to show your vision for the
things you do and share online can create a digital
future. You might include literal images, like computers
footprint with data or information about you. Your
and people, or show the community and connections
digital footprint includes who you follow as well as
abstractly with webs and swirling shapes. You might
the communities and networks you’re a part of. It
create digital art to share online, art or a performance for
isn’t always visible to everyone, but it can be visible
the real world, or maybe even a combination of the two!
to those who know how to look for it.

If you look at how you use technology, what’s in your

digital landscape? How can you use your technology
more effectively? Are there better apps or platforms
for what you want to do online? How can you protect
your data? How can you go one step further and use
technology to make a difference?

Choices—do one:

Navigate your digital landscape. Different tools work

for different people. Have a conversation with a friend
or family member to share your views on technology
and how it can be used to help with different problems.
Discuss the different apps or websites you use to find
information, to connect with others, for entertainment,
and for other purposes. Compare how you do and
don’t use technology in similar ways. Are there places
online you intersect? Are you in any of the same digital Fill out “My Digital Data Tracker”
communities? After the conversation, consider if there’s on page 4 to understand
anything you’d change in your own digital routine after what is in your digital world.
learning about someone else’s choices.

Digital Leadership | 3
 Device(s) I have or use:
My Digital Data Tracker Phone Tablet Computer Other: _____________

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Platform: What data or content
Time What was your
app, did you share?
(start and Device Location What did you do? mood before?
program, With whom did you
end) And after?
or website share it?

Surprised by your data? Check out the tips on page 5 for ideas to stay safe and take care of yourself online.
 Create a Digital
Wellness Routine

To keep you, your data, and your devices safe, ● Be aware and stay up to date. Think before you
be thoughtful about what you do in the digital click! Only open emails, links, and attachments
world. For example: from sources you know. Keep your devices and
apps up to date and change your passwords
● Mind your screen time. How much time do you
regularly. Be careful who you let use your devices
spend in the digital world? Many devices and
and be considerate when using someone else’s.
apps can help you understand and manage the
amount of time you’re using them. Avoid looking ● Check in with your feelings. Pay attention
at screens or mute notifications while you’re when you’re online to how you feel when
eating, going to bed, or trying to focus. Balance using social media or messaging with friends.
what you do in the digital and real worlds— Balance your screen time with other activities
explore nature, play a sport, or meet with friends and interact with people who are kind and
in person. supportive. Also keep in mind that anything
that seems too good to be true may be just that.
● Be thoughtful about what you share online.
Remember that what you see online is just one
Public information, like what you think of a
part of someone’s life.
new movie or your favorite singer, is okay to share
online with people you know and trust. Never ● Ask for help and help others. If you’re having
post private information like your address, phone a hard time, online or in the real world, tell
number, email, or passwords. someone, like a relative, troop leader, or teacher.
They can support you and make sure you’re safe.
● Remember your values. Don’t share private
If a friend seems upset or angry, reach out, listen,
or embarrassing photos or videos, anything
and be supportive. If needed, ask a trusted adult
without permission, or anything else that could
for help or call 911.
make someone else feel bad (like gossip, bad
words, or other unkind actions). If someone is
bullying you or someone else you know, consider
how you can intervene—you might report the
account, kindly address the bully directly, or talk
to a trusted adult for advice.

⇨ For more fun: Brainstorm how you’ll

make the digital world a safer place.
Create an action plan with specific steps
you’ll follow to stay safe online.

Digital Leadership | 5
Step 2: Investigate the digital world
We all live in the same world but experience it in different ways. We live in different places, hear different information,
and meet different people. All of our experiences create our viewpoint on the world. There are as many points of view
as people.

Sometimes our beliefs are biased, maybe in ways we don’t even know. Bias is a belief or opinion that interferes with
someone being fair. It’s how we instantly connect often-harmful stereotypes or attitudes with groups of people. A
stereotype is when you judge other people based on a common characteristic. Misinformation is information that’s
incorrect or false but presented as true. It’s often created on purpose and spread digitally.

When you go online, you see all different kinds of content at once. You might see a photo on a post on a page on a
platform. Each layer is created by people with their own viewpoints, values, motives, and biases. Digital content is
anything created for or shared online, like a video, meme, or online presentation. Sometimes the messages are subtle
but powerful. They might tell you what to buy, how to look or act, or what to believe and value. Their motives might
be hidden or disguised as something else.

Online, there are viral sources of misinformation and content that promotes unrealistic beauty ideals. Ads, news
stories, and gossip can contain bias, stereotypes, and misinformation, too. You might get emails that are phishing
(trying to get your private information) or scamming you for money. You might encounter catfish (people pretending
to be someone they’re not) or trolls (people who intentionally try to start fights with mean comments). When your
data is used to sell products, manipulate, or influence you online, that’s social engineering.

Look carefully at what you see online. You can fight bias, misinformation, and dishonest or unkind behavior online by
being aware and teaching others what to look for.

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Choices—do one:
Spot the
Explore clickbait. Clickbait is digital content that grabs your
attention because it’s shocking or surprising in some way and entices Source
you to click and learn more. It might have a big “CLICK HERE” button
or link with offers for free stuff, videos of cute puppies, or celebrity Since we aren’t face-to-face in the
digital world, it can be hard to know
gossip. You may be surprised to click and find it’s not what you
what someone is thinking. That’s
thought it would be. So, how can headlines represent or misrepresent why it’s important to think carefully
a story? What is the difference between a headline and the real about what’s true or not, both online
substance, or meat, of a story? Create your own clickbait to find and in real life.
out. Make three clickbait headlines for the same photo: one positive;
Here are some questions to investigate:
one negative, and one neutral. For example, you might write for a
cat photo: “Move over dogs! Cats are man’s best friend!” for positive, What are you looking at? A story?
“Cats are dangerous to nature and people!” for negative; and “Your A video? An ad? Do you see any tags,
like “Ad,” “Sponsored,” or “Opinion”?
cat’s ancestors survived an ice age!” for neutral.
What’s the source? Who shared it?
Who’s the author or creator? Research
Debunk a debate. People are always posting their opinions online.
to find out if the source, author,
Sometimes people with very different points of view use the same
creator, publication, or website is
facts to prove their point. Find an upcoming live, video, or audio known for any particular slants,
recording of a debate. Research the topic online beforehand to find values, or points of view.
articles and information from different sources that share facts,
What are they selling? When you
sides of the issue, and what the experts say. If you can, find out
see an ad online, look carefully. Is
more about the participants’ background and viewpoints. See if you the online ad you are looking at just
can predict what positions the debaters will take. When you watch selling a product? Is it trying to tell
the debate, remember your research and note how the different you what to think or feel? Ads can also
participants frame or present the facts. After, decide who you agreed have messages about how you should
look, who you should spend time with,
with and who you thought won the debate. Then consider: how
or what you should believe.
do people use facts to their own advantage and further their own
viewpoint online? How does it make you feel? Does it
make you feel more informed? Does
it make you feel worried or upset?
Examine digital bias. If you search for information online, you’ll Does it seem helpful or unkind? Go
find lots of different content from as many points of view. For with your gut if you have a feeling
example, look at the same news story on different online news something isn’t right.
sites and try to figure out their slant—what is each’s point of view?
Do other sources agree? Separate
Then find an online article about an issue you care about, like the fact from fiction. Research the
homelessness or cyberbullying. Create a list of facts from the article story to verify any facts with other
and retell them from 3 different points of view: as someone impacted sources, like a respected media critic
by the situation, as someone helping directly, and as someone or an online myth debunker.
who is making the situation worse. Afterwards, compare your stories
to the facts. What changed each time? How do different online
sites shape the stories they publish? Why is it important to look at
multiple sources before forming your own opinion?

Want to learn more about news

and media? Check out
the Cadette Media Journey.

Digital Leadership | 7
Step 3: Design a
digital community
A community can form when people connect around
interests, goals, or values. Digital communities are
especially powerful because community members
can connect with each other regardless of where they
are. People can share information, ideas, and visions
for the future.

Digital communities can be closed, meaning they’re

open only to specific people who have been invited or
asked to join. Other digital communities are open to
everyone. Most digital communities have rules for how
people interact with each other. Some will ask you to
read and accept their guidelines before you can join. And some, like message boards, have a moderator who reviews
and approves messages.

Take a look at your online interactions. What kinds of values do they show? How can you stand up online against
unkind interactions and support positive values? How can you be a digital leader who helps others and makes the
digital world a better place?

With technology, you can build a strong community of people. They can be connected by values, like kindness and
equality. Together they can act to make the internet a friendlier place for everyone.

Choices—do one:

Make a vision board for your community. Choose a community, like your Girl Scout troop or neighborhood. Create
a vision board (on paper or digitally) that shows your community’s values. If the community also has a goal or you’d
like to work towards one, add it in! Then consider: How does your community use technology to build connection?
How could technology grow or strengthen your community? What digital tools can help achieve your goals? Include
photos, quotes, messages, and anything else that can inspire and motivate others. Then share it with your community
and discuss how you can achieve the future vision. For example, you might create something more permanent, like a
collaborative website or mural.

Host an awards ceremony for your community. Choose a community you belong to. Brainstorm some of its
values and strengths. How are different community members acting on these values? Design an awards ceremony
(in-person or virtual) with categories like “caring for nature” and “friendship.” Then use digital tools to make your
awards ceremony great. Use a graphics app to create certificates to reward community members’ unique strengths
and skills. Use a slideshow or video app to make a presentation. Invite people through emails, texts, or social
media. At the ceremony, honor and celebrate your community. At the end, share a call to action for everyone to
make a difference.

Create guidelines for a digital community. Look at some of the games, apps, or websites you use. What values do
you see on each? Do you agree with them? Use what you learn to shape a plan for your own digital community. Create
a plan for your digital community. Who will be in it? How will you welcome new members? What will you celebrate
and share? What will happen if someone doesn’t follow the rules?

⇨ For more fun: Discuss with friends and use technology to bring your community online.
8 | Cadette
Step 4: Create content
for change
What you do online can change the world! You can inspire respectful,
inclusive, and kind interactions online. You can be a digital leader
who motivates your communities to act. Used thoughtfully, digital
tools can help you to have a worldwide reach.

When you create digital content to make a difference, it needs to have Use “Create an
an action behind it. Otherwise, people might post support on social Impact with Digital
media, but not take the next step to create change in the real world. Content” on page
That’s sometimes called hashtag activism or slacktivism. 10 to plan and create
So how can you work digitally to create impact? You can use digital your content.
tools to promote others already working on an issue. You can bring
your own talents and help solve the problem.

For Step 4, create digital content to support a topic you care about,
like a video, digital art, email campaign, or anything else. Make sure
to find out what the community needs most, decide on an audience,
and set a goal for how your audience can help. Remember to make
your content engaging and have an impact online and offline.

Choices—do one: Important note: If you’re

under 13 and want to share
Host a virtual “Town Hall.” Hold a discussion for your community your project online,
to learn from experts and community leaders. First, research ask a trusted adult to share
people in your area who might be knowledgeable or have a personal for you. If you have an
connection. Reach out to see if they’d be interested in sharing their email address, you can send your
experience. Then invite your community to a virtual event. Make project to family and friends
sure community members have time to ask questions! you know and trust.

Create an online petition. Petitions usually list community support

and action steps to solve an issue. Research a problem and identify
possible solutions. Choose the best idea and create a petition for
people to sign if they agree. Circulate it online and in the real world.
Once you’ve collected signatures, share your petition with
community leaders, like your school administration, city council,
local department of parks and recreation, or anyone else who can
use their power or influence to help.

Make digital content to support your goal. Choose a topic,

audience, and goal for the impact you want to make. Then,
brainstorm how you can best get people engaged and motivated
enough to act. Maybe it’s a video to educate your community. Maybe
it’s a funny meme to get people thinking. Maybe it’s a poster to
promote an important event. As a digital creator, you get to choose
the platform and create the content. So, pick something you care
about and use technology to make a difference!

Digital Leadership | 9
 Create an Impact
with Digital Content
The digital content with the most impact makes people feel strongly enough to act. So as a digital leader, it’s
up to you to find the best way of sharing your message!

You have causes you care about and digital tools you can use. Like a recipe, the components make up the
whole: you might need your content to be a little bit funny, include a dash of facts, be full of feeling, and ask
something of your audience.

Follow these steps to create content that makes a difference:

What? How?

Brainstorm problems and choose one you feel passionate about. Find out more about
Choose a
the problem, why it happens, and who it impacts. What are others doing to help?
topic.
Where can you add in your own skills and talents?

Keep Make sure that how you communicate about the problem and the solutions feels good
community at for people in the community impacted by the problem. What language do they use
the center. when talking about the challenges? What message do they want to send?

Choose Decide who you want to get involved. How do they use technology? What can you do
your audience. to inspire and engage them?

Choose Decide what you want to create. Is it an image, text, video, app, or something else?
your tools. What digital tool can help you to create your content? How will you share it?

Create the Use your tools to make content about the topic for your audience. Only include
content. information that is safe and that you have permission to share online.

Evaluate and Gather feedback on your content. What worked? What didn’t? Then brainstorm ways
amplify to expand what you’ve done. Do you create more content? Share in other ways? How
your impact. can you reach more people with your message?

10 | Cadette
Step 5: Share your process
Make a Digital
Content creation includes many steps and decisions along the Difference
way. By sharing your thinking, others can better understand your
You are a digital leader. You’ve learned
process and point of view. This can help to make sure your content
about how to stay safe online. You’ve
is not biased and is accessible to your audience. Other people might learned how to spot bias, stereotypes,
have tips or ideas for a better platform. They might know helpful clickbait, and misinformation.
information or be connected with others working on similar projects. You’ve explored how to spot digital
communities with positive values and
Being a digital leader means not only creating digital content for developed your own digital content to
change, but also showing other people how to do that. By sharing make change.
the who, what, when, where, why, and how behind your content, you
Now, how can you use your new
can teach and inspire other people, too! knowledge and skills to create
change in the real and digital worlds?
Choices—do one: ● Teach people how to be safe
online. Explain the difference
Report back to the team. Imagine you’re part of an organization between public and private
that just launched your content from Step 4 and it’s time to share information. Show people how to
spot bias, stereotypes, clickbait,
your work. What was your process? How did you research, design,
and misinformation.
launch, and manage your project? How did you avoid stereotypes?
● Fight the negative! Stand up to
How did you make sure your content was accessible and inclusive?
bullying online and in-person. Share
How will you make an impact online and offline? Create a
positive stories and lift up others.
presentation to share this information and gather feedback. If you
● Build your digital community.
can, share with others, like your troop or family.
Act out and promote values in
your real-world and online
Create a “Take Action” talk. Take Action projects are when Girl communities. Reach out to friends
Scouts make a sustainable difference in their community. They’re who may seem sad or angry.
different from community service as they continue to address the ● Use digital tools for good.
problem over time. Think of cleaning up a beach versus installing Support and promote positive
people, organizations, and causes
trash cans. Both solve the problem today, but trash cans will help
with your comments and digital
tomorrow—they’re helping in a sustainable way! Imagine you’ve products you create.
created an entire Take Action campaign based on your content from
Step 4. How was your first piece of content received by the audience?
What worked well? What didn’t? How did you amplify what you did
to make a sustainable impact?

⇨ For more fun: Do what you planned and use your content as the
starting point for a Take Action project!
Important Note:
Share multiple ways. Share your digital content from Step 4 in If you’re under 13 and want
more than one way and collect any reactions you receive, in person to share your project
or online. Then analyze your data to discover what worked and online, ask a trusted adult to
what didn’t. If you were to make another piece of content, what share for you. If you have an
would you do differently? Which mode of delivery got the most email address, you can send your
responses? If you can, go back and improve your content based on project to family and friends you
what you learned. know and trust.

Digital Leadership | 11
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12 | Cadette