8.2.2: Digital Footprints
- Page ID
- 32094
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Digital Footprint and Reputation
Continuing our quest to help our learners stay safe online, we need to understand what a digital footprint is, and how we can help our learners maintain a good digital footprint. The concept of a digital footprint and reputation is increasingly relevant in the interconnected, online world. A digital footprint, by definition, is the trail of data that individuals leave behind as they use the internet. This can include a wide array of information such as social media posts, comments made on various websites, search history, and even the digital records of online purchases. The significance of one's digital footprint is amplified by its long-lasting nature and the ease with which it can be accessed and analyzed by others, including future employers, marketers, and even cyber criminals.
Consider a scenario where a job candidate's social media history is scrutinized by potential employers. Posts, comments, likes, and shares all paint a picture of the candidate's personality, beliefs, and behaviors. Similarly, one's online activities, like search queries and website visits, can be used for targeted advertising, often without the individual's explicit consent.
For educators, addressing the implications of digital footprints and online reputations is crucial in preparing students for a responsible digital presence.
Image generated using DALL·E 3 (CC BY)
Here are some strategies that can be employed:
- Educating About Digital Footprints: Instructors should educate students about what a digital footprint is and how it is created. This includes discussions about different types of digital footprints - active and passive - and how they can impact one's future (McDermott, 2018).
- Promoting Thoughtful Online Behavior: Encouraging students to think critically before posting or sharing anything online is vital. This includes understanding that once something is shared on the internet, it can be difficult or impossible to erase (McDermott, 2018). .
- Teaching Privacy Management: Educators should guide students on how to manage privacy settings across various platforms to control what they share and with whom (US Dept. of Education, 2023).
- Encouraging Regular Audits of Digital Footprints: Students can be taught to conduct regular audits of their online presence, checking social media profiles, and search engine results about themselves to understand what information is publicly available (Higgin, 2022).
- Addressing Online Reputation Management: This involves teaching students how to positively build and maintain their online reputation, such as creating content that reflects their professional interests and achievements (Higgin, 2022)..
- Understanding the Consequences: Educators should discuss real-life scenarios where digital footprints have had significant consequences, such as job loss or public backlash, to underline the importance of a positive digital presence (Higgin, 2022).
- Highlighting the Role of Digital Citizenship: Emphasizing the concept of digital citizenship can help students understand their responsibilities in the online world, including respect for others' privacy and reputations (American University, 2022). In the next page, we will discuss some strategies for encouraging digital citizenship.
American University. (2022, October 26). Promoting digital citizenship for students. School of Education Online.
Higgin, T. (2022, September 16). Keeping your students (and yourself) safe on social media: A checklist. Common Sense Education.
McDermott, M. (2018). Digital Footprints: Creation, Implication, and Higher Education. Distance Learning, 15(1), 51-54.
US Department of Education (2023). Protecting Student Privacy.