My digital footprint tells the story of me, my
favourite apps, the websites I have visited, the messages I have sent, videos downloaded,
images uploaded, music downloaded, games played, comments posted, boards created,
things pinned!! These “marks” colour in a
picture of me and hence my online reputation/integrity is being embellished every
time I log on!! I know this can be
positive or negative and can shape how people see me now and possibly view me
in the future. I realised this after Thing 13 – Personal Brand and Managing it. It made me do things I hadn’t considered
before. I searched myself online. Searching for yourself is a quick way to see what information is out there about you. I did find a person with the same name,
living the other side of the world. I did take a look at their digital footprint.
Luckily there was nothing for concern!! I am now aware of
what’s out there about me and I have an idea about what’s out there, for the other Hilary Cantwell!!!!
On a daily basis I remind students about the
precautions one should take online. Since
starting this course I have made a conscious effort to put into practice what I
preach:
·
Social networks have privacy settings which help you manage
the content you share and who you share it with. It is important to use them. Controlling
who sees my online presence, yes it could be restricted to friends and
followers only or I can choose to put it all out there!!. I also realised that I need to be aware of
the content of my friends and followers because it can affect my digital
footprint too.
·
Think
before you post! Funny pictures, jokes are subjective.
We should take time to question ourselves Do we want friends, family, future
employers to see our content? Am I happy
for people to see the information I have posted. Once online it has the potential to be online
forever.
·
Deactivate
and delete when you stop using a social networking
profile or website it’s a good idea to deactivate or delete the account. This means the content is no longer live and
should not be searchable online! It may
also make sure that the account is not hacked.
·
I have always been very careful about
giving out personal information to websites I am unfamiliar with. I don’t respond to phishing emails, no matter
how enticing or innocent it may seem.
Banks have worked hard to educate users that they will never ask for or
send personal details. I am obsessed with secure internet
connections, legitimate hot-spots and that they are encrypted.
·
I am also getting better at reading
the “terms & conditions” of apps I download. I am not as quick to put the “x” in the
box. In other words I am giving “informed consent.”
·
I use many passwords online. My
attitude in the past has been somewhat naïve, I have told myself keep it simple
so you remember it!! I have now realised
how important it is to use an alphanumeric password. I have stopped keeping the same password or a
very close derivation for my accounts.
It is scary to think that if someone can get access to my online
accounts they can control them my digital footprint.
I will be prudent and careful about my
digital footprint. Now that I know all the ways that I and others are shaping my
digital footprint, it's important to be vigilant about keeping my footprint in
shape. Using an appropriate photo of
yourself in your social networking profiles is an important start. We all have good days and bad days but what
goes on the Internet is public and long-lasting. I tell my students that if
there are some parts of their digital footprint that they are not proud of, then
don't be afraid to untag a photo, ask a friend to take something of theirs
down, or even delete an account. These
"fixes" are not absolute, but they can help to keep private business
private.
Thing 16 was about taking charge of your digital footprint,
maintaining and shaping it is controlled by me.
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