DIGITAL FOOTPRINTEVERYTHING YOU DO IS ONLINE. HOW YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR INFO.

WHAT IS A DIGITAL FOOTPRINT?

A digital footprint is the collection of personal information put on the internet by a specific person.

Every time you post something online, it is recorded in a database or network. This then becomes part of your digital portfolio, an ever-growing collection of information. This information is accessible by almost everyone at anytime, even if you deleted it.

That’s right: nothing is ever actually deleted off the internet.

But who is actually interested in your deleted social media posts?

Honestly, not too many people. However, those who are interested in your life definitely are. Posting regretful things online can be seen by future employers via background checks, and you may lose the job. Universities also keep tabs on scholarship candidates to make sure they’re behaving themselves and following assigned rules. If they aren’t, the scholarship can be revoked.

But how do they find this information? Easy. Google.

WHY?

A sure-fire way to make sure nothing embarrassing under your name is online is to google yourself. If you can’t find yourself by simply your first and last name, try adding your country and hometown. Chances are, people with your same name will show up, and one of them may be you.

If nothing shows up about you after numerous pages on Google, you’ve done a pretty good job keeping your digital footprint faint. But if you do find yourself, it’s a little scary because anybody can see what you’re up to now.

So how can you keep yourself safe?

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

A little while ago, I googled myself. Since I have a very popular name, thousands of results popped up, and none of them seemed to be me. I came across a photographer, a talent agent, a British singer-songwriter and even a famous actress, but not a single result proved to be me. Only after searching my name followed by my hometown did I find myself under some articles I wrote for the school newspaper. What little stuff I found was pretty good and would look nice on an application. So what did I do differently then someone with their Instagram photos for all to see?

GOOGLE YOURSELF!

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELFDON’T PUT YOUR FULL NAME ONLINE!

This should be a given, but never put your full name when you’re making accounts. Your first name and first initial of your last name work perfectly fine. And if you’re the kind of person that puts their full name in their username, try using a nickname instead. It makes you a lot harder to find.

IS IT WORTH IT?

Think before you post! It is perfectly a-okay to post a photo of your tea or a beautiful sunset or even the occasional selfie, but no employer wants to be scrolling through your Facebook and find an aggressive rant about your ex, or some embarrassing photos from that night. Also, talk to your friends about tagging you in photos. If you don’t want it on your feed, make sure they don’t put your name, or filter your timeline!

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS = PRIVATE!Although not too strong against experienced hackers, the privacy settings on social media accounts WORK. This stops the average and unpermitted user from seeing anything you post, (even if you use hashtags) and third party websites cannot show your photos or information without your explicit consent. Sharing laws sure are helpful!

PROTECT YOUR FRIENDS

Now that you can protect yourself, how can you make sure your friends are safe?

Like in the previous slide, tell them about tagging. Ask them to not tag you in photos without your permission and explain why.

You can also use the previously described habits on your own accounts!

1. Be discreet! No full names, no current locations, and use a private account.

2. Think before you post! If you’d be okay with your mother seeing it, then it’s probably okay.

3. When you show digital responsibility, people notice. You may not get as many followers, but at least you’ll get the job or get that scholarship!

CONCLUSION

Everything you post is seen in one way or another, either by family and friends or the whole world. Something can go viral overnight, and you should be cautious. But don’t be so scared that you become a hermit! Our world is becoming digital, and it’s perfectly fine to have an online presence, as long as it’s safe and responsible. People can share things faster than ever, and it’s pretty amazing. The internet is a terrific thing as long as we use it properly. It’s introduced us to online banking, universal instant communication, and cat videos! What more could you want?

Be safe, and as little reward for your responsibility…

WHAT THE INTERNET HAS TO OFFER…