Nowadays, students are always on the internet. Communication, social media, shopping, etc. all factor into something most people don’t pay attention to: a digital footprint. Digital footprint refers to the trail of data and information someone leaves behind when using the internet. Somebody’s digital footprint can be used to track their online activity. Once a person clicks the “allow terms and conditions button, ” they are giving someone permission to access and possibly sell their information. A digital footprint can act as a virtual reputation that leads directly back to them. It can expose people to many possible risks such as cyberbullying, harassment, and even being a victim of identity theft. With the vast expansion of technology and the internet, digital footprints also continue to grow.
¨Young people in general don’t take the digital footprint seriously enough, a lot of people don’t take social media seriously and don’t think about the repercussions and the consequences of putting your personal information out there,” Deputy Gruelle said.
Posting on social media, subscribing to a newsletter, leaving an online review or shopping online all add to a constantly growing digital footprint. Sometimes it’s hard to notice a person’s contribution to their digital footprint. Websites install cookies that track activity and apps can collate data without the user even knowing. Internet users create their digital footprint either actively or passively.
When people are actively contributing to their digital footprint, they have deliberately shared information about themselves. For example, posting on social media is someone actively sharing their personal information adding to their digital footprint. Any website or software a user is logged into adds to their footprint through what they share and post.
A passive footprint is created when information about the user is collected without them being aware. For example, this occurs when websites collect information about how many times users visit, where they come from and their IP address. This is a hidden process, which users may not realize is taking place. This process is prerogative because it’s drawing personal information from a user without consent. It’s important to be careful with websites and online softwares because everything adds to a digital footprint.
So many components from a person’s use of the internet add to their digital footprint. An internet user could have hundreds of items form part of their digital footprint. Some of the ways in which users add to their digital footprint include:
Online Shopping:
– Making purchases from e-commerce websites
– Signing up for coupons or creating an account
– Downloading and using shopping apps
– Registering for brand newsletters
Online Banking:
– Using a mobile banking app
– Buying or selling stocks
– Subscribing to financial publications and blogs
– Opening a credit card account
Social Media:
– Using social media on your computer or devices
– Logging into other websites using your social media credentials
– Connecting with friends and contacts
– Sharing information, data, and photos with your connections
– Joining a dating site or app
Identity theft can take a toll on somebody by increasing stress levels and hurting their ability to trust again.
“Don’t go online, once you go online you leave footprints and the smallest marketing teams can trace your keystroke that you make on any website, ” Justin Thacker, teacher at Green High School said.
The internet is a scary platform where someone can easily take over all of another person’s personal information. Being safe online creates a safer environment for everyone.
“If you look into your settings and just make sure you have a bunch of privacy settings listed on there, and don’t give out your personal information, somethings as little as not putting your last name on your profile name, not accepting friend requests you don’t know, and then just be careful with who you post.” Green High School Deputy Gruelle said.
Being kind online is the way to go. A person’s reputation forms friendships and is how people overall view someone as a person, one thing can go around and someone’s digital footprint is instantly ruined.
“Well, it can really ruin your chances if you want to go to college and further your education because higher schools look at that stuff and will look at your social media. Even more personally it can break friendships.” Angel Kidd ’26 said.
Using social media shapes how people see each other and can hurt someone’s future. People should improve their digital footprint and thinking before they post could save them from a bad reputation online. You can do this by changing your active and passive footprint.
Responsibilities and being aware of what is happening online can save you from the dangers of the internet. Being a Deputy in Green, Deputy Gruelle has dealt with the negative impacts and situations of digital footprint.
Anything that goes on the internet always has a way of getting back to someone and it follows with many consequences. Someone protecting their reputation online is very important. It only takes a small amount of information to get someone’s identity stolen.
Green High School has a standing district wide saying: BE SAFE! BE KIND! BE RESPONSIBLE! BE BULLDOG STRONG! These core values are used in school, out of school, and online. Keeping your digital footprint positive can better your future, past, and present because your digital footprint follows you everywhere.
