What is it and why is it important? Digital Footprint What is it and why is it important? During this assembly I am going to pose some rhetoric questions, ones for you to think about now and after the assembly.

Digital Footprint Spend a moment please thinking about the questions What is a digital footprint? What does your digital footprint say about you?

Digital Footprint Your digital footprint can be explained as everything that is on the Internet about you. This could include things such as: Your profile on Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking site. Photographs or videos that you, your friends or your family have posted online. Any content that you have written or that has been written about you, such as on forums, blogs, or in website articles.

Digital Footprint It would seem that whenever you subscribe or sign up to a website these days, we are being encouraged to post aspects of our lives online. Most of this information is freely available for anyone to view. Every time we contribute any details about ourselves to the Internet we enlarge our digital footprint and when we mention someone else we enlarge theirs. Mention here about tagging people in photos

Digital Footprint What you may not know is that companies and organisations routinely trawl the Internet and harvest people’s personal information. They do this so that they can contact you and market their goods or services. Worryingly, they can keep hold of your personal information for several years. They can even monitor your digital footprint to capture up-to-date information about you. At this point also point out that in 2014 45% of employers in the US admitted looking at prospective employees digital footprint before they offered them a job.

Digital Footprint It is therefore very important that you don’t put too much information about yourself online and make it publicly available

Digital Footprint Should we be careful about what we contribute to our digital footprint? YES

Digital Footprint Why should you manage your privacy settings carefully? Do you want anybody to find you online? Could someone steal your identity? Do you want a potential employer to see your contributions?

Digital Footprint Think of reasons why you may want to capitalise on your digital footprint, for example at a time when you are looking for a job?

Digital Footprint Showcase of your skills Highlight experience and knowledge potential employers universities or colleges. Some industries and professions expect a digital footprint

Digital Footprint Think seriously about maintaining a positive online presence. Make thoughtful and intelligent comments to blogs or news articles. Build an online gallery of your work for potential employers/clients to view.

Digital Footprint You should always try to maintain an updated positive digital footprint as this can neutralise the impact of any content you have posted previously which later you regretted. This is because most people who carry out Internet searches only look at the first couple of hits on the first page of results.

https://youtu.be/DinW62zlWcc

Digital Footprint To finish this assembly here are some suggestions: Don’t put too much personal information online that is available to anyone. Use your privacy settings! Make sure you logoff, when you have finished using a website or social networking site. Always keep in mind that most websites make a record of your visit and could track the sites you visit before and after their website. Always focus on doing positive things online If you see or read anything that upsets you always inform your parents or teachers.