Browser Extensions

Provide learners with best practices for managing their browser extensions

About This Module

This curriculum module is based on takeaways from series two of NYC Digital Safety training videos. You may use this module by:

  • Including it in your pre-existing public workshops
  • Combining it with other NYC Digital Safety modules to make a longer data-privacy focused workshop
  • Sharing the handout with library users at various service points

Downloadable presentation slides, a facilitation guide, and a handout can be found below. The handout from this module has been translated into Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Russian, and Spanish.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

    • Define and describe browsing extensions
    • Understand how browser extensions work
    • Discuss the pros and cons of selecting and using browser extensions

Lesson Plan

This lesson plan is also included in the downloadable facilitation guide below. You are welcome to use any and all of this, or adapt it as you see fit.

This module will take approximately 35 to 40 minutes to complete.

Welcome and introduction

Greet learners and review the plan for this module

Defining browser extensions

Provide a brief definition of browser extensions and see if anyone has any clarifying questions

What browser extensions can do

Share examples of what browser extensions can do. Ask learners what they would add to this list.

Risks associated with browser extensions

Share with learners some of the risks inherent with browser extensions, including the amount of information they can provide to developers. See if anyone has any questions

Activity: Ensure your current browser extensions are secure

Give your learners the guided handout. Invite learners to list the browsers they currently use. (Note: learners may need to do this from memory if they don’t have access to a personal device. You may consider reviewing this activity and sending it home with learners to practice on their own.) Learners can then research some of their extensions to determine the level of safety

Managing your browser extensions

Share a list of best practices learners for using browser extensions.

Wrap up, final tips, and final questions

Review the closing thoughts and share the suggested resources. See if anyone has any final questions

Next Steps

Download the materials below for use in your workshop or at service points throughout your library.

If you plan to create a longer privacy-focused workshop using these materials, here is a link to Google slides. Feel free to make a copy if you’d like to add these slides to any other deck.

And please let us know how it went! Use this form to share your feedback on this module. We’d love to hear from you.