What is meant by Digital footprint? In simple terms a digital footprint is what you leave behind online from search results,online activity,websites visited as well as a host of many factors. Just like when walking on the beach a person leaves their foot print behind them and can still be seen once they have left, the concept is the same when it comes to a persons digital footprint. All of a persons online activity is achieved and stored as data online. This stored data is basically the footprint that is left behind. This data can be brought up for months even years that is why it is important to have a good digital foot print to your name. The internet is a permanent place so anything shared online gives others a collective snapshot of who you are as a person your values,morals as well as what kind of an interaction they could expect for you as a person.
When it comes to having a good digital footprint there is one main guideline that one should follow when it comes to posting on the internet. One needs to think is this image or post going to offend someone or how is this post going to be received by the reader of it. If its going to have a negative affect then there are high chances that it should not be posted online or to a social media account as it then tarnishes the posters digital footprint which stays with the user for life being digital stored online.
The advantages to a digital footprint is that it acts as an archive and a back up in the event that old information needs to be pulled up. An easy example of when a digital footprint comes into play is such as when using whatsapp where you are able to go back and read older messages within a conversation in order to get information that you need which was sent earlier such as a cellphone number or address.
The knowledge of knowing how to have a positive digital footprint that reflects well on the user as a person within society is as necessary as teaching someone any other life values such as being responsible or being truthful they are life skills that are needed in life.
References
Birdsong, T. (2013). Helping Kids Understand Their ‘Digital Footprint’ - McAfee. [online] McAfee. Available at: https://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/helping-kids-understand-their-digital-footprint [Accessed 17 May 2015].
Educatorstechnology.com, (2015). A Great Guide on Teaching Students about Digital Footprint ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. [online] Available at: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/04/a-great-guide-on-teaching-students.html [Accessed 17 May 2015].
Gscb.org.uk, (2015). Your digital footprint explained - Gloucestershire County Council. [online] Available at: http://www.gscb.org.uk/article/112266/Your-digital-footprint-explained [Accessed 17 May 2015].
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