I chose this image because a lock represents being secure and it is on a laptop which shows being secure or safe on the internet and on your devices. 

What is your digital footprint? 

Your digital footprint is what you leave behind after each search, post, and view that you do. Your digital footprint is used for everything from personalizing advertisements to employers using it to see what type of person you are outside of the workplace. The digital footprint that you leave behind can never be deleted and just magically go away because someone can screenshot it and send it to someone, but also all your information is stored on a server and can be recovered fer a certain amount of time. 

What does it mean to stay safe on the internet? 

Staying safe on the internet includes deleting old accounts, not over posting, and not posting personal information. Deleting old accounts keeps you safe because by not deleting your old accounts you are leaving it for everyone to easily see. By not over posting you reduce the risk of accidentally posting something you may regret or not mean to post. Not posting personal information is important because it is personal for a reason. 

What are steps you can take to be safer online? 

Some ways to control your digital footprint is to make accounts private, and all social media platforms allow this and there are many YouTube tutorials on how to do this. Make your accounts only visible to certain people, and search up your name occasionally, to see what shows when someone does search your name.  

What to do if there is something that concerns you? 

If there is something that concerns, you about your social media you should delete the post. If someone else is falsely posting about you, Google has an option for you to report the person and have their whole account or website removed without their discretion. You can also confront the person in their DM’s or in the comments section if you have the confidence to. If someone is attacking you online block them and if it is up to a certain level, you can contact the authorities if that is what you want.  

Personal/Social Core Competency Self Assessment

I know my digital footprint can have both positive and negative consequences including account bans so I adjust my actions to make a positive footprint by not posting as much, and only posting what is necessary and gives a positive attitude.

I make digital ethical choices such as not posting certain things, and reporting content in order to make my online areas safer and more positive for myself and others who want the same.

Some short/ long term goals with my digital spaces include learning about other peoples perspectives and my plan to achieve them is to be open minded when someone makes a post that does is not what my personal beliefs are, and listen in an unbiased way.

Works Cited 

• (“Myfuture – Australia’s National Career Information Service”) 
• (Your Digital Footprint: What Is It and How Can You Manage It? | Rasmussen University) 
• Photographer, Marco Verch Professional. Padlock with Computer Keyboard. Internet and Computer Security