A digital footprint is when you post or do anything online, because like a footprint what you do online stays. Three examples of ways to have a good digital footprint and to stay safe online are deactivating old emails, ensuring your account settings remains private and to make sure you are not giving out your personal information.  It is important to deactivate old emails because someone may hack into them and send emails or say racist or sexist things or try and scam people for money by impersonating you and trying to get personal information that they can later use to blackmail you into giving them stuff. The use of a private account is important for Tick Tok so that strangers cannot see what you post or try and message you. Disabling location tracking is important because if you have your location turned on for any online platform a stranger could find out what school you go to, where you play your sports, where your friends’ houses, and where you go after school and when you are usually out of the house. Think before you post anything on TikTok you should always take a minute to look over it and make sure that it is not racist, sexist or anything inappropriate, because even if you delete it TikTok still has your video, so it is never actually deleted. This could be a problem later in life when applying for jobs when they do a google search of your name and find this video. 

Sharing Knowledge

A digital footprint is when you post or do anything online, because like a footprint what you do online stays. Three examples of ways to have a good digital footprint and to stay safe online are deactivating old emails, ensuring your account settings remains private and to make sure you are not giving out your personal information.  It is important to deactivate old emails because someone may hack into them and send emails or say racist or sexist things or try and scam people for money by impersonating you and trying to get personal information that they can later use to blackmail you into giving them stuff. The use of a private account is important for Tick Tok so that strangers cannot see what you post or try and message you. Disabling location tracking is important because if you have your location turned on for any online platform a stranger could find out what school you go to, where you play your sports, where your friends’ houses, and where you go after school and when you are usually out of the house. Think before you post anything on TikTok you should always take a minute to look over it and make sure that it is not racist, sexist or anything inappropriate, because even if you delete it TikTok still has your video, so it is never actually deleted. This could be a problem later in life when applying for jobs when they do a google search of your name and find this video.

Personal/Social Competency Reflection

While there are some downsides to social media there are a multitude of positive encounters you can have online as well. My values around my lacrosse career help me make decisions about how much time I spend on social media because if I spend too much time prior to a game or a practice it would make me tired and lazy there for effecting my game in a negative way. An example of my strength as a digital citizen includes watching videos on fishing and getting advice and tips on how to become a better fisherman. I really enjoy fishing, so tips are extremely appreciated and help me develop my skill. Some of my strategies to maintain healthy online presents include keeping in touch with close friends and family members. Social media is a great way to keep connected with friends if done safely.

Works Cited

University, Carnegie Mellon. Reduce Your Digital Footprint – Information Security Office – Computing Services – Carnegie Mellon University. http://www.cmu.edu/iso/aware/protect-your-privacy/digital-footprint.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2023.

University, Carnegie Mellon. Reduce Your Digital Footprint – Information Security Office – Computing Services – Carnegie Mellon University. http://www.cmu.edu/iso/aware/protect-your-privacy/digital-footprint.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2023.