Digital footprint are information about ourselves that we leave behind on the internet. For example, When we go on the internet, our computer knows what types of videos, items or what website we visit multiple times. Digital footprint is can be benefit you, for example, I am a student at the Leeward Community College and I always visit this site called “Laulima” and everytime I go back on this site it has my username and password ready for me, making it easier/faster for me to log back in when I need to. But Digital footprint can also affect your reputation, when posting on social media, from pictures to videos or status updates, these can all be used against you even if your profile page is private.
Digital footprint are created by information about a user. When a user visits a website that ask for their personal information, that information is collected creating a digital footprint. For example, when applying for a job, you share all your personal information about yourself, and you explain to them why you’re applying for the job, and the position you’re applying for, which makes your create a digital footprint. Even when you post a picture on social media, create a statue on Facebook you’re creating a digital footprint. For example, when you’re on the app “Pinterest” you’re creating a digital footprint of yourself, the app knows what types of quote you’re looking for or the types of pictures you’re constantly looking for.
Our digital footprint can affect us in so many ways. From pictures/videos you upload, to the things you research online, it can harm individuals emotionally. When we buy something online, and that specific website that we visit starts to create ads of related things they think we might be interested in buying. In the article Second self, Andrew states, “Beyond potentially losing out on benefits, people can be emotionally harmed by the way behavioral advertising plays to their worst fears or facilitates self destructive behavior.” Ads can inadvertently cause people to harm themselves with some inappropriate ads, that offends them. In some cases, some users ended up committing suicide after feeling depressed from seeing ads contantly reminding them about weight loss.
Things that most individuals do to create a negative digital footprints are posting videos or pictures that’s embarrassing about a person without their consent on social media, people harassing, cyberbullying, creating a crime or talking inappropriately to others on a post can be used against them, even if they assume that their accounts are private. These type of negative digital footprints can hinder some individuals from having future job opportunities, or harm them financially, and socially because if the video/ picture goes viral, people wouldn’t want to hire that individual.
5) Strategies for creating positive digital footprints. Find a video (on YouTube) or a webpage (on Google). (Remember to cite what you found in APA format).
References
[AVG Technologies]. (2012, October 23). Attention young professionals! Whatʻs in your digital baggage? [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/zlM-YuUQ3Ms
[Global News]. (2018, June 23). How facebook creates a profile from your data to sell to advertisers [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Azr41OUTOt8
[Internet Society]. (2016, January 12). Four reasons to care about your digital footprint [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Ro_LlRg8rGg
Pew Research. (2013, October 1). Why youʻre still bored. Retrieved from https://laulima.hawaii.edu/access/content/group/LEE.56067.202030/Images/oversharingstats.jpg
[Positive Coaching Alliance]. (2015, April 9). Social media: donʻt lose a $140k scholarship for a 140-character tweet [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/MgB8xBJaBoU
Andrews, L. (2011). Second Self. In I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did (pp.33-48). NY : Free Press.
Katelin, McClure “5 ways to make a positive digital footprint.” YouTube, uploaded by youtube, 23, March 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwFE25f50P4
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