Discussion - Digital Footprint

Issues related to privacy and personal digital footprints are often being debated in schools and libraries. Schools and libraries debate the issues related to privacy and digital footprints for many reasons. One of the major reasons is the concern for young people's safety. People fear that youth are at risk from sexual predators, identity theft, not getting enough exercise, not interacting in social situations, and targets for cyberbullying. Worst case scenario is that youths are at risk of committing suicide as a result of making poor choices on the Internet. For example, some people post pictures of a compromising nature or of drunken parties. However, it is the media that perpetuates these negative issues. Young people may be educated in the positive use of social networking and warned of the dangers of the Internet beforehand.

Parents and educators must teach young people responsible online behaviour. Youth may be educated in the proper use of the internet and shown that what is posted on the Internet is there forever and cannot be erased. It is important to educate young people that future employers may be influenced in their hiring decision by what they see on the Internet. I googled my name to see what someone else would see. I wasn't surprised by the results, as I have used the Internet for my teacher-librarian courses, so mostly everything was professional. 

Students gain valuable skills that will benefit them later on in their future careers.
Imagine how disappointed they will be if poor choices interfered with their dream job. Education in prevention is the best defense against fear.

Allowing students to access social networking sites teaches young people many skills that are very useful, such as socializing, communicating, collaborating, creating web sites, reading, writing and researching.

While many fear that young people share too much personal information, they can be shown how to restrict access to their pages. Young people should only friend people they actually know and use privacy settings. Actually, they do not have to share any personal information if they are not comfortable. A person should only share what they are comfortable in sharing; you do not have to share your real birthday, or your real name. Last names, photos, school names, phone numbers and addresses make it easy for predators to locate victims. Teach young people to avoid giving out this information. Social networking sites are great for keeping in contact with family and friends, but they can also be useful for looking for jobs, or displaying your talents. Students should be taught to keep their digital footprint on the Internet as professional as possible.