Digital Footprint
Sydney Smith CP2
What is a Digital Footprint?
On the internet, a Digital Footprint is used to describe the trace, or the "footprints" people leave online. This is information transmitted online such as e-mails, attachments, uploading videos or digital images, and any other from of transmission of information - which all leave a trace of personal information about yourself to others.
Tips on how to manage your Digital Footprint
Simply put, a Digital Footprint is just a trace or record of what you have viewed online. Social media, personal information, and browsing history, etc. all contribute to your digital footprint. Here are some tips on how to manage it wisely:
- Use Privacy Settings - using your privacy settings can keep you safe and manage a well maintained footprint.
- Keep a list of Accounts - The ones you delete you don't use anymore, however you should never get rid of the set up of an account.
- Don't Overshare - When you're online, you never share to much of your personal information. Sending this information such as a home address, phone number, your age, or even where you should go to school should never be shared.
- Google Yourself - It may seem strange to Google yourself, but you never know what you might find online about yourself other people may have made.
- Make a Strong Password - Making a strong password is key to being safe online and also protects you from a potential hacker. Make a strong password by using different numbers and uppercase/lowercase letters.
How can you make sure a Website is Credible?
This question is asked frequently, and sometimes it really is hard to tell which sites are credible. There are six main ways to tell:
- Author - If information like where there went to college, contact information, background, or even if they are willing to stand by their website is a way to tell the the author has made a credible site.
- Date - If the important dates like when the website was made, you when it was last edited can help you determine whether or not the information you are using is up to date.
- Sources - Including sources to where they got the information they are using can prove credibility.
- Site Design - Design may not be something everyone really ever thinks of when they ask themselves, "Is this site credible?" but, the design matters. It proves that the author is making a nicely presented website.
- Writing Style - Sometimes if the author doesn't use appropriate writing or grammar, it isn't always easy to understand.
- Domain - Domain may be the most important thing when it comes to credibility. If the site using ".com .org or .net" can be used or edited by anyone. But, if the domain is ".edu or .gov" those are usually the sites that are reserved for colleges or the government. These are the credible web addresses for certainty.
Being Safe and Smart online
How to be Safe:
Going online and social media is fun in all, but sometimes it has risks. Here are some ways to be safe and careful when online:
How to be Smart:
People always say "What you do online, will always stay online."
Going online and social media is fun in all, but sometimes it has risks. Here are some ways to be safe and careful when online:
- Never give out Personal Information (address, phone number, where you go to school, pictures, credit card numbers, passwords, etc.)
- Never meet with someone in person without an adult - always get your parent's permission with anything you do online.
- Never give out your Password
How to be Smart:
People always say "What you do online, will always stay online."
- Never do anything online that you will end up regretting.
- Treat people the way you would like to be treated.