Digital Footprint and Reputation
Most of us use the Internet as a way to connect with friends, explore topics, or study for school. Many are connected to multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We share various pieces of our lives online, from our weekend plans to photos of the last food we ate If the digital footprint you are creating lasts a lifetime, is it one you’ll be proud to share? Even more immediate, is your online reputation one you’re willing to share with college admissions or future employers?
○What is a digital footprint?
○What is your digital footprint and reputation?
○What does it mean that the internet is public and permanent?
○Who looks at your digital footprint and reputation?
○What are some recommended social media guideline?
○How can you maintain your digital footprint?
○What does your digital footprint say about you? .
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Digital Footprint & Reputation
A digital footprint is the collection of personal data you leave behind while using the internet, like where you live, what products you buy, your email address and more. It includes information you actively share through social media posts, blog profiles and online forms, as well as data companies collect on you through cookies and tracking scripts.
Can I Erase My Digital Footprint?
The short answer is no. It’s part of the price we pay for being connected to the internet. Even if you were to cut the cord on all internet services, your data is still on profiles with local government, medical facilities and so on.
And you might not want to fully remove your footprint. A curated profile that emphasizes your professional achievements, for instance, can help you elevate your reputation.
Data that contributes to your digital footprint also drives a more personal browsing experience and powers apps that can help monitor health conditions.
How Do I Protect My Digital Footprint?
While you can’t erase your digital footprint, you can focus on its size and exposure.
The best place to start is to do a quick search on yourself using your name and current city, Van Dyke said. This will show you just how public and accessible your personal information might be.
5 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
- Practice good digital hygiene.
- Adjust your browser settings.
- Maintain separate accounts.
- Muddle your digital profile.
- Request third-party websites to remove your personal information.
“For the average person, I believe it will change your behavior in terms of what you’re sharing,” Van Dyke said. “You’ll see what’s out there and if you take a few minutes to think about how some of that data got out there, you’ll realize that it was something you shared.”
Below are a few steps you can take to protect your personal data and limit your exposure.
Exercise : What is your Digital Footprint?
Search for yourself on Google. If you have a common name, you might need to search for your name and the city you live in. For example Joanne Smith San Francisco.
- What comes up in your Google search?
- What was the most surprising thing that you noticed?
- What are some actions you should take to maintain a positive digital footprint?
Alternative: