Digital Citizenship
Digital Footprints
Digital Footprints
What is a "Digital Footprint"?
What does need to be discussed is how our ONLINE presence and habits affect our REAL LIFE. Like history, some things online will be forgotten about, and others will go completely unnoticed, but nothing ever really goes away. We need to be extremely careful and judicious about how we choose to represent ourselves, and behave ourselves, online.
"Friends" and Followers
Hopefully, you will not want to give an online company so much information about you. And I'm sure that you would want your friends not to give out your information. So the question is... how much do you really trust your online "friends"? Do you know all of them personally? Would you share, in person, with them, every bit of information that you're posting to Facebook? If not, why would you post it online?
When it comes to online games/apps, ask yourself: Is there a valid reason why <insert online game title> needs to know my friends' names, or needs to know all of this information about me? If not, don't give them access... even if it means that you can't play the game everyone is talking about.
Copyright
Imagine researching your favorite author, only to find out that they copied all of their work, and never gave credit. How would that make you feel about that author?
Since the internet is a vast database, finding an exact match for something online, is really not difficult at all. Unfortunately, a lot of work, media, etc. gets stolen.
Now, when someone is actively looking for for YOU online, they can see nearly everything that you've done online. This includes content that you claim to have created, that could very well be plagiarized, or "borrowed" without copyright permission (or with no verification of copyright permission). ALWAYS make sure to cite your sources! If you embed a Creative Commons licensed picture in your work online, make sure to give credit to the original work. Like the image above (from here).
What does my digital footprint say about me?
You should pay close attention to what you put online because it represents you. Think about the silly face picture of you and your friends... would you want your future boss to see that when they're deciding whether or not to hire you? Would you want a University representative, when deciding admissions, to see your Twitter rant about how slow and rude their admissions person was to you on the phone? Do you think that University would accept you if your admissions essay was plagiarized from an online source?
As time goes on, we will all become more "net saavy". But what you do/post right now, directly impacts your future, because the content never goes away.
Tips for Building a Positive Digital Footprint
Be careful about the websites you choose to view and use. Be even more careful about the information you put onto those sites.
Follow the Golden Rule online - Treat others the way you want to be treated.
If you don't have something positive to say, it's best to say nothing at all.
Be yourself, but use the internet to create the best possible version of yourself. Use it to highlight your qualities, and none of your detractors.
Don't overshare. Don't be vague. And don't be a downer.
Be positive. Get rid of the negative.
Coming Soon
Preparing for the Future
Wrap-up
Curriculum Resources