This week we focused on digital footprints, and the mark we leave behind. Need some clarification? A digital footprint is the data trail left behind after interacting with the digital environment. This can be done through multiple sources such as; Facebook, Twitter, Email, mobile phone etc. It is not a good thing to have, IF you have things to hide. Being careful and cautious of what you post on the Internet is something that tends to be forgotten. Posts can follow you for a lifetime, even after you personally delete it. If you're like me, and active on pretty much EVERY social network…the thought of this can cause a mini panic attack. BREATHE. I have some information that will calm those social network jitters!
There is a loss of control over content, once you hit send it is out there for the world to see and anyone can get a hold of it. How many times have you scrolled through Instagram or Facebook and seen pictures or comments that you would not want your grandma to see? Or even a future employer to see? After this weeks readings I put aside some time to scroll through my news feeds. This time I went through with a different mindset, one of a future employer. I began counting the pictures that my peers (me included) are going to regret posting in a few years or heck...even a few days! With this loss of ownership, people have to be careful to leave a POSITIVE footprint. Now I'm warning you: the link I am about to post may contain informative material. Is there a 'get out of jail free' card for cliché posts?! Here is a social media link; please post responsibly.
As I admitted
I have made my mistakes. There are posts that aren't - ahem -
business appropriate, if you will. But at the same time, I'm
not going to lock up my laptop, turn the Wi-Fi off my phone and live my life
being scared of the 'Big Bad Web'. In fact, the Internet has helped me
make informed decisions that have benefited me in the long run. With
the Internet expanding access and knowledge the Web is there to help.
Just like most things in life there is a set of rules that users of the
Internet must follow.
In our
assigned readings for this week we were asked to fill out the 'Digital Driver's
License' quiz. It stressed the importance of the Internet and how it can
be used to contribute to the conversation online, to make informed consumer
decisions and academic projects. There is a certain kind of
'netiquette' that must be followed when using the Internet. We must
always be courteous to our fellow posters. Making rude derogatory
comments or stealing other users content, is not necessary. By
using technology appropriately users can benefit themselves without hurting their
own reputations. As active users we need to learn to use technologies to
our advantage and not let the technologies take advantage of us. NOTE: having your phone out at school, the dinner table, the shower AND your hockey game is once again, not necessary. There is a time and a place for everything, so use these tools responsibly and reasonably.
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| "Do you think they'll like it?" |
People spend
more time documenting their life than actually living it! What is it
about this day and age where EVERY move has to be documented? Where is it
written that the more scandalous the post the better? Users are
no longer thinking twice about the personal content they are releasing but
rather the 'likes' they are going to get for posting it. Last year I
went ALL of second semester without my cell phone. I was clocked out of
the social scene. I know what you must be thinking...4 months.
Phone-less. S.O.S., MAYDAY, SEND OUT THE DOGS! But
in actuality, it had the opposite affect on me. I enjoyed not
being reachable 24/7. It was refreshing to use the Internet as a research aid and not because I felt the simultaneous need to 'refresh' and eat.
I'm going to
end with a simple saying. Y.O.P.O.- You Only Post Once. It only takes one post to alter your digital footprint. Keep it light,
informative and most importantly fun!
Until next time, happy posting!
xoxo
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