Consumer Skills Unit

Students will be able to:

• Examine their role as a consumer and their consumer decisions 
• Explain how social media and influencers can impact a consumer’s spending decisions 
• Identify steps a consumer can take to decrease the influence of social media on their spending decisions 

Students will be able to:

• Identify ways advertisements can influence their consumer decisions
• Explain what dark patterns are and identify common types 
• Understand why companies may use dark patterns

Students will be able to:

• Understand what comparison shopping is, how it can help consumers, and when it makes sense to comparison shop
• Identify a variety of factors to consider when comparison shopping 
• Discuss different factors to consider when comparison shopping beyond things like price and quality, such as environmental impact
• Make an informed consumer decision by using comparison shopping methods

Students will be able to:

• Identify different types of identity theft, how they can occur, and the impact they can have on someone’s life
• Take measures to protect their personal information
• Understand current trends about identity theft
• Outline what steps to take if they are a victim of identity theft

Students will be able to:

• Define scams and fraud 
• Identify red flags to look for in different types of scams and fraud
• Recommend what steps someone should take if they are scammed

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Analyze current teen spending habits 
• Examine their role as a consumer and their consumer decisions 
• Explain how social media and influencers can impact a consumer’s spending decisions 
• Identify steps a consumer can take to decrease the influence of social media on their spending decisions

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify ways advertisements work on your psychology
• Identify dark patterns you regularly encounter
• Learn why companies use dark patterns

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand what comparison shopping is, how it can help consumers, and when it makes sense to comparison shop
• Identify a variety of factors to consider when comparison shopping 
• Explain how using tools such as browser extensions and price matching can help them find the best deal
• Consider the impact a consumer decision may have on the environment

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Weigh subscription options for products and services 
• Learn about hidden fees and how to avoid them
• Consider the benefits of buying goods second hand
• Evaluate various online marketplace options
• Learn how to stay safe when using buy/sell/trade marketplaces

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Define scams and fraud 
• Identify red flags to look for in different types of scams and fraud
• Examine current trends for scams and fraud 
• Recommend what steps someone should take if they are scammed

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify different types of identity theft, how they can occur, and the impact they have on your life 
• Understand current trends about identity theft
• Identify the dangers of ID theft of minors
• Protect personal information through a variety of preventative measures
• Outline what steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft