The Digital Footprint By: Emily Coutts

What is a digital footprint? A Digital footprint is the trail that you leave online. It is the information you share on the internet which creates this footprint. It includes your social media, websites you frequently use and all of your internet searches. https://www.telegraphindia.com/technology/minimise-your-digital-footprint-223601

How does your digital footprint affect your future? For many people their digital footprint is something that will halt possible opportunities. This is because people don’t think when they post, making it so that employers are able to see what you are like outside of your job. However, your footprint can also be used for good! If you post meaningful stuff that shows future employers that you are a good person it can open more doors for you. This is because when they see that you are a responsible person online they feel you will be more responsible in your job position. http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20161007-what-nobody-tells-you-about-becoming-the-boss

3 strategies you can use to keep a good digital footprint Think before you post Almost everyone has heard of T.H.I.N.K. It is a way to reflect on your post before it is too late. Using this strategy you can filter what you post making your digital footprint much cleaner. http://www.technologyrocksseriously.com/2014/10/before-you-post-think.html#.W5Bu2WWMBPs

#2 Put all your stuff on private Setting all your social media account onto private mode will help you significantly. It shows to employers that you are responsible because you don’t just let anyone see your stuff. It is also just a good way to keep yourself safe. https://gizmodo.com/how-to-make-your-social-media-accounts-as-private-as-po-1793949395

#3 Google yourself regularly. This will give you a good sense of what other people can find on you. It also tells you what you need to delete/ un- tag yourself from. If you do this it will not only help you keep a clean record but you will also know what employers will see when they search your name. Google.com #3

What did I learn? I learned that your employers will not only google your name but they also search you up on all social media platforms. The reason I would like to share this with my peers is that I would like to remind them that everything they post online is there forever. Even if you delete it there will always be a record of it. http://digitalassess.com/where-does-machine-learning-fit-in-the-education-sector/machine-learning-2/

In Conclusion In conclusion the digital world is a dangerous one. However, it can be used to your advantage as long as you know what you are doing. Your footprint will be there and it is up to you to make sure that it is one that you would be okay with people seeing. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3020163/internet/online-privacy-tips-3-ways-to-control-your-digital-footprint.html