There are so many different advantages and disadvantages to having a life online, that adds to your digital footprint. This could be very beneficial for multiple purposes, but some purposes may not be so great. Here are a few points to help you understand from two opposite perspectives. PROS
CONS
A digital footprint is what makes up your online profile. It gives universities, employers, team coaches, and anybody else who searches your name up, an overview of your true self. So now, imagine if the administration office at a university, or your boss or even your coach from a sports team searches you up on google, and pictures of you show up that puts you in a negative spotlight. You may be reconsidered for the program or job you applied to because of the content they found online that had your name written all over it. A negative digital footprint can have a bigger impact on you and your future than you think. On the other hand, what if universities, or employers, or team coaches found pictures and videos of you that put you in a positive spotlight? What if they found pictures of you helping out the community, or they found a link to your academic and athletic achievements? This raises your chances of getting accepted into whatever you apply for. You want to use your digital footprint to your advantage, not to your disadvantage, so don't forget to search yourself up on google to check what is being posted about you. It is important to keep track of what information about you is on the internet. Whether your employer, team coach or even the administration office at the university you applied to searches you up on google, so you want to have the best online profile! Here are a few ways to protect your digital profile:
Passive: A passive footprint is when the user does not know that data and information are being collect from or about him/her. Search engines save your search history whenever you log into a website to know your interests and what you may be searching up. This information is usually shared with businesses to help them generate more specified advertisements that will peak your interest in the product. Active: An active footprint is when the user is voluntarily releasing information about him/her to be shared with friends, businesses, and/or on social media. This can be shared by sending an email to a friend or family member, or posting something on social media. You are releasing information onto the internet that can never be erased, and you are doing so willingly. This adds to your digital footprint, and can be seen by anyone. A digital footprint is the information we leave behind while using digital technology. A digital footprint manages everything a user does on the internet. This can include the browsing history, credit information while online shopping, or simply the user's social media accounts. With social media accounts, the digital footprint can be pretty wide with all the pictures and videos posted, the comments, likes, online subscriptions, and shared information. Essentially, a digital footprint is anything on the internet that has your name on it. Everyday, social media users contribute to their personal profile online. Whether it is a picture, a comment, or even a like, they add on to who they are. Many users don't think about what they do online, or who can see it. They may post something on a social media account without even thinking about the consequences. Once it is posted, it can never be taken back - even if you delete it. You should always think twice about what you are posting online, because you never know where it may end up. |
AuthorsWe are two GCI students wanting to share all about the impacts of your digital footprint. ArchivesCategories |