Your Digital Footprint

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A digital footprint is a trail of data you create while using the Internet. It includes the websites you visit, emails you send, and information you submit to online services. A "passive digital footprint" is a data trail you unintentionally leave online.

- TechTerms.com

    What are footprints? It is the impression left by your feet or shoes when you walk, oftentimes leaving a trail. So, what does it mean when the words "digital" and "footprint" come together? It basically means the trail you leave online. It can often translate into your online identity or affect your personal brand. What you do online is permanent, any content (forum conversations, images, Tweets etc.) you publish out there stays on there forever, even if you think you have deleted it. This includes your personal information. When purposely establishing an online identity, Smore.com suggests to begin at the age of 13, under parental guidance, be real and be consistent. Being real online relates to being consistent. It let's you network, build your personal brand and helps prevent you from doing things you would not do in real life, such as cyberbullying. Social media gives users a platform to use their voice. This is great but it is important to remember that when you interact online, you leave your digital footprint as well. As long as you keep this in mind, you will have no issue navigating and engaging in the world wide web. One way to keep track of your digital footprint is by Googling your name. Analyzing what comes up and curating it to show what you'd prefer will benefit you in the long run with your reputation, future employers and peers. Here are 12 tips from TeachThought.com:


     Now, what happens when you do Google search yourself and you don't like what you see? The next thing you can do is clean this up. Make separate accounts, have a personal profile and business profile. Secure your personal profiles by privating them (this option is available on some social platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) and allow your business profiles to be public. This lets you have some flexibility online, but still, keep in mind of your digital footprint! On Facebook, you could make a business page or just make sure your personal page is extra secure by changing the settings to "Friends Only", so that anyone who is not your Facebook friend cannot see your personal posts. Meanwhile, curate your public accounts to look professional. By being fluent on social media, you are showing your future employers your skills. Go through your public accounts and delete inappropriate posts. Try to replace them with pictures relating to your field or career. Pictures of you in business attire are some good examples. If you need more tips that go hand-in-hand, be sure to check out my previous blog posts, such as "The Social Dilemma" & Digital Mindfulness and The Benefits Of A Personal Brand & How To Build One.








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