Track 1 · Grades 9–10 · Module 5 of 6
Your Data Has a Price
Every interaction online generates data. That data is collected, analyzed, and monetized. Understanding what is collected, what it is worth, and what you can do about it gives you real power.
[ RUNWAY VIDEO: Data streams flowing from phone silhouette to corporate icons ]
The Core Idea
What Gets Collected
The scale of data collection from a single teen using common apps for one day is remarkable. This is not theoretical — this is what is documented in the privacy policies and legal disclosures of the apps you use:
📍 Location dataEvery platform with location permission
🔍 Search historyGoogle, YouTube, in-app searches
⏱️ Content viewing timeEvery second of pause on every post
💬 Message metadataWho you message, when, how often
🛒 Purchase behaviorWhat you click, what you buy, what you abandon
📱 Device identifiersUnique IDs that persist even after reinstalling apps
🧬 Inferred characteristicsPolitics, religion, health, relationship status — inferred from behavior
The inference problem: Platforms do not just collect what you share — they infer things you never disclosed. Browsing patterns can reveal political views, health concerns, and relationship status with high accuracy, even when you share none of this explicitly.
What You Can Do
- Review app permissions regularly — revoke location access from apps that do not need it
- Use privacy-focused search engines (DuckDuckGo) and browsers (Firefox, Brave) for sensitive searches
- Read privacy labels in app stores before downloading
- Use the data access and deletion tools most major platforms are required to provide
- Opt out of personalized advertising where platforms allow it
- Understand that free apps generate revenue from your data — there is always a trade-off
Audit Activity
Your Data Footprint
Scenarios — tap each to see the data implications.
Module Quiz
Test Your Understanding
8 questions — no limit on attempts.