We’re living in a digital age. Digital technology is everywhere. Some call it the digital Universe. Think about it, probably everyone you know goes online to shop, do school work, play a game, e-mail, or access news or get sports scores. On a broader scale, businesses now depend on digital technology to do everything from storing immense amounts of data to facilitating monetary transactions.
When online most people engage in activities that leave a “digital footprint.” There are 2 ways of thinking about a digital footprint: (1) the amount or size – the actual bytes of information one creates and places in the digital environment; and (2) the type – the traces of activity one leaves when in a digital environment. Both of these descriptions combine to make up one’s “footprints” that are left in many ways, such as joining a Web site, posting to a blog, releasing personal information online, sometimes even from simply connecting to the Internet. Users may not even realize what information is being collected as they browse and interact online.
So why care about your digital footprint? Digital footprints can have big impacts that many do not even consider. Some often-hyped dangers include the attention of stalkers, predators and identity thieves. Information you leave online can be used by these types of people for wrong or illicit purposes. While these things really can happen, of bigger concern are the more everyday occurrences that effect many more people. Consider the following examples:
Employers. More and more employers are looking at a person’s digital footprint to help evaluate the type of employee an applicant might be. A December, 2007 survey conducted by Careerbuilder.com found that 45% of employers reported using online search engines or social-networking sites to research potential job candidates.
Colleges and Scholarship Committees. Just as employers are reviewing digital footprints, so are those who approve college admissions and award scholarships. They want to see what the “real” person is like, in contrast to the polished image seen in an application or interview.
Law Enforcement. As more and more students and adults interact and communicate online, they leave traces of activities. Police cases are being made using information found online. Sometimes a teen will brag about exploits, post pictures or even blog about activities that cross the line into illegal.
School Employees. Schools have clauses in many student athletic, club and other organizational handbooks requiring a high level of behavior and standards to be displayed. Further, some districts are monitoring faculty members’ “footprints.” Schools are using information found online as evidence – pictures of a wild party, for example – to suspend or enforce other disciplinary measures. In cases of staff indiscretions, morality causes are prompting firings.
Businesses. Online retailers track business transactions of users, such as the e-mail addresses of online buyers and types of merchandise people buy, as well as information from online loan applications. Sometimes they will even buy this information from other businesses, in order to send out e-mail advertisements.
Take Control of Your Digital Footprint
According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, Internet users are now more aware that they leave a digital footprint. They found that 47% have searched for information about themselves online, compared with 22% five years ago. BUT, that doesn’t mean Americans are trying to minimize or track that footprint. Few regularly check their footprint and 60% say they are not worried about the amount of information available about them online. The reality is that many American adults may not realize how their footprint can affect their lives. Since youth frequent the Internet even more than adults, the potential for negative affects from their footprint may even be greater.
What can be done? Turn off the computer? Never e-mail or blog? Of course not! Extremes don’t work and Cyberspace is a big part of our world!
Best Advice. Be aware of the image you present to the world. Understand that every time you go online you could be contributing to your digital footprint – something anyone can see. Would you want anyone to see that photo you just posted or read the blog about your latest party? Be aware that the “you” presented to the world online can stick around for a long time. You may pull down your blog but others might still be able to view the information you’ve posted in the past. Work to present the best “you” that you can.
And, parents take an interest in what your children are doing online, and learn as much as you can about e-Safety. i-SAFE provides easy and convenient i-PARENT online training at http://ilearn.isafe.org/. You can also learn more about i-SAFE parent programs at http://www.isafe.org/, or our new Web site just for Hawaii at http://www.isafehawaii.org/.
