Creating a Positive and Safe Digital Footprint

2022-10-12

Aahil

My Digital Footprint

https://wordart.com/edit/34wd04khfpae

This design is a collection of words in different colours, fonts, and sizes for the computer to visualize. It is a detailed digital poster that gives key words relating to having a positive digital footprint. I made this infographic using WordArt. WordArt is a graphic design platform that’s used to create key words as headings to sub topics, to be used as posters, documents, or other visual content for free. The best thing is that it is easy to use and you can start creating within seconds.

2. Project Sharing Knowledge:

(Option 2) Word Art… 

Explain why internet safety is important. 

Internet safety is important because there are many people out there who have the capabilities of hacking into your computer and taking advantage of you or anyone who might be using your computer. 

In this manner anyone could hack into your realm and find passwords, bank information, cause identity theft and even change your entire footprint to make you non-existent. 

Give examples of unsafe activities. 

Unsafe activities include browsing websites that are unsafe, using public Wi-Fi to access personal information or bank information or government information.  

Describe the steps everyone can take to stay safe. 

Steps to stay safe include not posting personal or family pictures on social media that are accessible to everyone. 

Using platforms and websites that are safe. 

Not using public wi-fi when dealing with sensitive information. 

3. Personal/Social Competency Reflection: 

• I know that my digital footprint can have both positive and negative consequences including being able to get a good job due to having a good footprint or being targeted for the negative footprint. An example would be comments that are made showing an opinion that may not be favorable to everyone. So, I adjust my actions to conform to having only positive consequences. Actions would include not engaging in social media, refraining from commenting, completely staying away from any controversial matters. 
• My online support network is helpful to me because I can browse through material which I know is safe. I get guidance on how to protect myself online and have learnt what I look like to the world. Without this assignment, I had no idea what people saw when they searched for me. My school website, career website and Teams are all known sites and I feel confident in the use of these networks. 
• My strengths as a digital citizen include being cognizant of websites that are unsafe. I also know now how to maintain a positive footprint. Actions such as abstinence, or not commenting on social media, not engaging in controversial dialogue on social media and not posting anything personal are some key methods to maintaining that positive footprint. They contribute to my community by not stirring any unnecessary trouble. They also keep my family safe from being targeted.

You can choose to focus on just one area like Instagram if you wish or you can provide 3-5 key ideas on how to have a positive digital footprint on all platforms. 

On YouTube I have liked 9893 videos, subscribed to 344 channels, and have 15 subscribers. I have created a bunch of private playlists, unlinked playlists, and created a few public playlists about space, Minecraft, and Gacha. 

There are several ways to maintain a positive digital footprint. Among these include: 

1. Abstinence: If you don’t engage in any social media, then you have no footprint left behind. You may choose to view different cites with “incognito” turned on. 

2. If you do decide to participate in any platform, be sure that it is not a controversial matter. If it is, then refrain from having any comments in order not to be judged, especially when it comes time for new opportunities. 

3. If you do comment on any platform or “like” a comment, then have only positive comments or “likes”. It should never have an opinion which could jeopardize your future options. 

4. Post pictures that are appropriate and relate to you only. Should you decide to post someone else’s picture, you should have written permission no matter how close you are to them. 

5. If you do post someone else’s work or pictures, give them the credit. 

Now Google yourself to learn about your own digital footprint. Are you active online? What do you share online and is it an appropriate reflection of you? Would you be okay with your parents seeing this version of you? What about your teachers? Future or current employers? 

When searching myself up, I found my dad’s (Irfan Amirali Sonawala) YouTube channel (Irfan Ali Sonawala), his YouTube channel history, his Facebook page, my Facebook page before I deleted the app. With the help of two of my middle school friends, we found an article about my dad’s work with his entire family’s phone numbers, which included mine. Later on, I searched myself up and found a similar page but about my mom’s information (Zahra Diamondali Jamal).  

I then went back on my own to start searching about me on different platforms and search engines, I found a picture of my certificate for getting my Junior Black Belt in Taekwondo, and creepily a photo of me during my Taekwondo class with my brother, friends, and three Black Belt’s in the background.  

The top result about me is about my Scouts CSA Project when I collected a lot of donations to buy items that we as Scouts donated to the people who were affected by the floods in Merritt in November 2021. The donations were distributed on March 13^th from 2pm –4pm. The article I found was from the news reporter showing the distribution, and my collaborating with Tim Hortans and the Mayor of Merritt to donate the packages faster. The top picture was while we were trying to collect cash or items through flyers at a local park.  

The final thing I could find about me was a picture taken of me after my interview about what I liked about the show “Shen Yun.” At that time, I did not know that this show was a controversial matter against the Chinese socialists. Had I known, I would have likely not participated in the interview.  

I think that one thing I learnt from this is that once you do something on social media, there is no going back! And just like the “Shen-Yun” interview that was posted, there is nothing I can do about it or remove it from the online platforms as it has already spread so much.  

The articles so far would have a positive impact on who I am. It reflects accurately on who I am as a person. Even though I do not like the Shen-Yun interview only because of the controversy, I believe the items stated reflected my thoughts of the performance and not political in nature. Therefore, I am satisfied with what I have online to date. I believe my parents, teachers and future employers will also be happy with what they see about me online. 

 

Work Cited:

Resources – MLA Style 

Irfan A Ali, Age 50 from Euless, TX – Radaris. https://radaris.com/~Irfan-Ali/1231471578. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022. 

Irfan A Phone Number, Address, Age, Contact Info, Public Records ᐈ Radaris. https://radaris.com/p/Irfan/A/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022. 

Irfan Sonawala · 2060 Concord Ave, Coquitlam, BC V3K 5S9, Canada. https://federalcorporation.ca/director/irfan-sonawala. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022. 

Reyes, Izaiah. “Scouts to Donate Care Packages on March 12.” Merritt Herald, 10 Mar. 2022, https://www.merrittherald.com/scouts-to-donate-care-packages-on-march-12/. 

Scouts Donate Essential Items to Flood Victims in Merritt | Scouts Canada. https://www.scouts.ca/news-and-events/news/2022/03/scouts-donate-essential-items-to-flood-victims-in-merritt. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022. 

Zahra Diamondali Sonawala · 2060 Concord Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3K 5S9, Canada. https://opengovca.com/director/zahra-diamondali-sonawala. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022. 

—. https://opengovca.com/director/zahra-diamondali-sonawala. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022. 

https://opencorporates.com/companies/ca/7705727. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022.

Protecting Your Online Identity and Reputation (for Teens) – Nemours KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/online-id.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022.

What Every Teen Needs to Know About Their Digital Footprint | Net Nanny. https://www.netnanny.com/blog/what-every-teen-needs-to-know-about-their-digital-footprint/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022.