Data Minimization

Share strategies for keeping data out of data broker hands to begin with

About This Module

This curriculum module is based on takeaways from series one 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 data minimization
  • Examine the principles behind data minimization
  • Apply data minimization practices and approaches to different online activities and experiences

Lesson Plan

As presented below, this module will take approximately 60 minutes to complete. You are welcome to use any and all of this, or adapt it as you see fit.

This lesson plan is also included in the downloadable facilitation guide below.

Welcome and Introduction

Greet learners and review the plan for this module

Defining Data Minimization

Provide a definition of data minimization and see if anyone has any questions or anything to add

Overview of data minimization and data generation

Review different aspects of data minimization and data generation, and how these two concepts connect together

Activity: Minimizing Data

Give learners the guided handout and have them brainstorm ways to minimize their data

Data minimization strategies

Share different strategies you can use to minimize your data, including digital detoxing

Activity: Discuss data minimization practices

Have learners share their thoughts on data minimization and how they might begin using it in their online lives

Best practices

Review best practices for minimizing the amount of data participants share online

Activity: Putting it into practice

Have learners jot down future plans for minimizing data and ideas on their guided handout and share their plans out with the group

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.