Understanding Digital Footprint
As our society progresses towards a digital world, it is inevitable that we will leave digital footprints. A digital footprint is a record of all our online activities in the digital world. It could be an email that you have sent to a picture that you posted on social media. Despite most web applications claiming that the things you post are just temporary or removable, once you click the send or post button, this data lives on the internet forever.
As schools begin to implement a bring your own device program, topics such as cyber bullying and the use of inappropriate social media are topics that are coming to the forefront. According to a study by Martin, F., Chuang W, Petty, T., Weichao, W, & Wilkins, P., (2018), out of the 593 middle school students surveyed, these are some important findings:
As schools begin to implement a bring your own device program, topics such as cyber bullying and the use of inappropriate social media are topics that are coming to the forefront. According to a study by Martin, F., Chuang W, Petty, T., Weichao, W, & Wilkins, P., (2018), out of the 593 middle school students surveyed, these are some important findings:
- “17% started using social media at age nine or younger
- 40% accepted friend requests from people they do not know
- 40% reported that their parents did not monitor their social media use
- Instagram (27%), SnapChat (25%) and YouTube (25%) were their most used social media sites.
Many students have concerns about social media due to inappropriate postings, bullying, lack of privacy and others.. School educators along with parents are responsible for developing their understanding of issues like digital footprint, digital reputation and digital citizenship in order to guide students in their school community. (Plüss, 2013)