Digital footprints & good reputations
Type in someone’s name in a search engine and there is a chance you’ll find
out something about that person. That, along with the comments, photos, or
videos they or others may have posted about them on a social networking
site, are part of their “digital footprint.” It’s the accumulation of what we've
left on the Internet from our online activities, including text messages on
mobile phones, emails, online chats and even Web surfing.
Some people worry that any information posted about a young person online
is bad, but positive posts can actually enhance teens’ reputations – as long as
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they don’t include information that is not safe to share, such as their home
address. Web pages, blogs, photos or status updates about their
accomplishments in school or sports, for example, could actually improve their
image. And, if someone does post something negative about your teen which
can’t be erased, it helps to have positive information out on the Net to
counter-balance it.
Reputation Point: There is nothing wrong with having a digital footprint –
hundreds of millions of people do now – but parents want their children’s
digital footprint to be a positive reflection on them. It’s vitally important to
be aware that we’re leaving a trail of information and careful about what
we say online. It’s also good to be aware of what others are saying about
us. The key to having a positive reputation online is being a good digital
citizen: behaving civilly and respectfully toward others online and sharing
positive information about oneself in blogs, social networking sites and
other social media.
Type in someone’s name in a search engine and there is a chance you’ll find
out something about that person. That, along with the comments, photos, or
videos they or others may have posted about them on a social networking
site, are part of their “digital footprint.” It’s the accumulation of what we've
left on the Internet from our online activities, including text messages on
mobile phones, emails, online chats and even Web surfing.
Some people worry that any information posted about a young person online
is bad, but positive posts can actually enhance teens’ reputations – as long as
8
they don’t include information that is not safe to share, such as their home
address. Web pages, blogs, photos or status updates about their
accomplishments in school or sports, for example, could actually improve their
image. And, if someone does post something negative about your teen which
can’t be erased, it helps to have positive information out on the Net to
counter-balance it.
Reputation Point: There is nothing wrong with having a digital footprint –
hundreds of millions of people do now – but parents want their children’s
digital footprint to be a positive reflection on them. It’s vitally important to
be aware that we’re leaving a trail of information and careful about what
we say online. It’s also good to be aware of what others are saying about
us. The key to having a positive reputation online is being a good digital
citizen: behaving civilly and respectfully toward others online and sharing
positive information about oneself in blogs, social networking sites and
other social media.
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