What is digital footprint?
A digital footprint is the impression you leave through your activity on the Internet. It is a trail of data that is formed either intentionally or unintentionally (Security, 2022). When you intentionally use the internet it creates Active digital footprints. This occurs when you post on a blog or social media, send an email, submit information, etc. Passive digital footprints are created when data is collected unintentionally through things like location tracking, monitoring through your IP address and installation of cookies on devices without the user knowing about it (Security, 2022).
Your digital footprint is important to be aware of because it is your online identity and reputation. We are required as professionals and adults to maintain a level of sensibility with our reputations and it is the same with digital identities. The role we play and the things we say online may affect our careers because employers are considering digital footprint in the hiring process (Buchanan et al., 2017). It is also important to remember that our activity online not only affects us, it also has an effect on the people around us and the digital community. We can help contribute to creating positive and educational online spaces or we can feed the toxic and destructive aspects of media. When we become creators in online spaces we are producing a public and permanent product that reflects who we are. This is why digital literacy and safety is are important.
How can we be safe and smart on the internet? There are many different ways to reduce and improve our digital footprint to ensure that we maintain a healthy digital identity. Things like limiting the data we share, checking privacy settings, avoiding sketchy websites, creating strong passwords, updating software, deleting old accounts and being careful about the things we create and share through social media and other platforms are all helpful practices (Kaspersky, 2023).
My Digital Footprint – Reflections
I am among the group of people who have regrets about things that I have within my digital footprint. As a child, my best friend introduced me to this new app Instagram and I remember posting photos without any understanding of what I was actually doing. I assumed it was like any other camera app and did not understand that I was posting photos to a public platform with no security or privacy settings in place. Fortunately, the worst I did was post photos of my dog and a few embarrassing photos of my face, but looking back now, I shudder to think of the danger I was in because of my naivety.
Since my rough start online, I have become much more careful in my online presence. In the last year, I deleted Instagram entirely and it has been a positive change in my life. I keep Facebook to keep up with clubs and groups but try to stay off of it as much as possible. I also try to keep secure passwords and take time to decide what I say in online formats. I am sure I could be better at updating software and keeping aware of my passive digital footprint.
Teaching Digital Footprint
As with digital literacy, we must help students understand digital footprint, what it means, how it can affect their lives, and how they can be safe and smart online. One article looking into children’s digital footprint management strategies found that children had a reasonable understanding of the dangers of media use and could explain what not to do online, but lacked discussion on the benefits that digital footprints can provide (Buchanan et al., 2017). While it is important to educate students on safe practices, management strategies, online agency, and digital literacy, it is also important that we empower students, giving them the ability to use digital tools for their benefit (Buchanan et al., 2017). As teachers, we are setting a standard for both our digital footprint and the way that we encourage and lead them in their online projects and work. Digital footprint can be added to through a variety of subjects and having the proper skills to manage a digital footprint is closely connected with BC’s curriculum.
References:
Buchanan, R., Southgate, E., Smith, S. P., Murray, T., & Noble, B. (2017). Post no photos, leave no trace: Children’s digital footprint management strategies. E-Learning and Digital Media, 14(5), 275–290. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042753017751711
Security, C. C. for C. (2022, January 12). Digital footprint (ITSAP.00.133). Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/digital-footprint-itsap00133
What is a digital footprint? And how to protect it from hackers. (2023, September 8). www.kaspersky.com. https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/what-is-a-digital-footprint