Digital Footprint
Patrick Sarad
What is a digital footprint? Why is it important?
What does my digital footprint consist of? What tools do I use online?
1. Facebook
Facebook is probably the biggest source of my digital footprint aura. Facebook was the very first online material I used to do anything. Upon gaining it, I posted a lot about games and random things. To this day, however, not much else is seen on my page. This can impact my digital footprint in two ways really. For one, this can be a good thing because people won’t really think much of my childish games. Also, I have a bunch of positive images on my page that make me appear as a good individual. On the other hand, this lack of posting and such can be bad for me because people won't really know much about me or who I am. All they can really detect from my profile is what I look like and maybe a few interests of mine.
2. Twitter
Twitter goes onto my digital footprint as second most useful source. Now, I haven't had twitter for long, but I already did post many things on it as well as like and follow an assortment of people and tweets. So, twitter really only affects me positively right now. All my posts I believe are positive. I have also been tagged in a few pictures that display my accomplishments for cross country. This with a combination of my favorites shows off a positive footprint. The only negative might be my goofy profile picture.
3. Instagram
What impact does/can my digital footprint have on my future?
The impact my digital footprint can have in the future could be one of two things: negative or positive. My footprint does veer more towards a positive outlook, but there can be different things about it that make it negative. First of all, it is positive because it reveals many different interest and skills of mine that are good for people to look at. I also have images that make me look like a good person. Some negative parts of my digital footprint are that all of my posts are outdated,except for twitter. This means that I don’t really have anything for people to look at in order for them to judge my present self. Also, a few friends of mine tag me in funny videos that later appear on my profile. These videos may not be that funny to other people who do not share the same humor as I have.
How can I improve my digital footprint?
There is a lot that I can do in order to improve my digital footprint. Since I don't have too much of an online identity, I can do much to improve all of my social media pages. Across Facebook, twitter, Instagram, linked In, etc. I can do the following 2 things:
One way I can improve my digital footprint is by posting more positive things. With this, I will have a combination of more updated posts and positive ones that will boost my image as a good and exceptional individual. Along with that, people can see good things about my daily life. Such an example that already exists is a tweet of me getting a good place on a cross country meet. This shows off me as being a good runner. This helps me out because people can see my accomplishing life and be more obliged to hire me.
- Another way I can improve my digital footprint is by adding on more information about me that would appeal to the people who view my page. Ways I can do this is by adding favorites to my pages, following/adding people who are in my interest field, or by making bios that explain my life, skills, and interests.