8th grade Tiger Time Presentation Digital Footprints 8th grade Tiger Time Presentation

What is a digital Footprint? Traces left by someone's activity in a digital environment including: Internet Social networking sites (Facebook) Text messages Instant messaging Email

Digital Footprint Public Domain

How does this affect you? The internet is a public domain Once you put something on the internet, it no longer belongs to you. It could be there forever Internet activity can be archived (saved) on certain sites example - www.archive.org How many people have a facebook account?

What did you agree to? When you signed up for Facebook you agreed that whatever you put on Facebook can be viewed and saved by others, and still is accessible to them even when you have deleted it from your page.

Impact on College Admission In a 2008 survey of 320 admissions officers from top colleges, the education experts at Kaplan learned that roughly 10% visit social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to learn more about applicants. The bottom line: an applicant's web information made a positive impression about 25% of the time and a negative impression 38% of the time. (By Allen Grove, About.com Guide 2009)

Impact on Future Jobs Forty-five percent of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates, up from 22% when asked last year, according to a survey released by CareerBuilder.com August 2009.

What not to do: Content that caused employers to not hire candidates included posting of provocative or inappropriate photographs candidate drinking or taking drugs bad-mouthing of a previous employer poor communication skills making discriminatory comments

The Good News However, some content encouraged employers to hire a candidate, including; profiles that provided a good feel for the candidate’s personality and fit Profiles that supported professional qualifications Profiles that showed the candidate was creative , and profiles that showed solid communication skills.

So, what should you do to clean up your online image? Here are the basics: Don’t engage in behavior that is a negative reflection of you. BUT...if you do here’s how you can keep your private behaviors private. Remove or block any photos that show you Drinking alcohol Making rude gestures In sexually suggestive poses Engaging in illegal activity

So, what should you do to clean up your online image? Unsubscribe from any groups that show bias or bigotry (those "I hate Jane Doe" and "Old People Shouldn't Drive" groups suggest you're NOT the type of person a college wants to admit) Remove contact information such as your phone number and address--not only is this a safety issue, but inclusion of such information shows bad judgment on your part.

So, what should you do to clean up your online image? Choose an attractive and professional-looking photo for your profile picture Visit your site frequently to untag any unflattering photos your friends may have posted (By Allen Grove, About.com Guide 2009) Remember, if you wouldn’t write it or show it to your Mom, you should not post it!

Digital Footprint Digital Reputation