DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS AND OUR STUDENTS
There is an awareness that is beginning to take place in our society about digital footprints. A digital footprint is the information you leave behind when you go somewhere on the internet. There has been a growing concern about how our students are not aware of this footprint.
DID YOU KNOW THAT 92% OF TWO YEAR OLDS HAVE A DIGITAL FOOTPRINT?
This is an alarming stat that we need to be aware of. This means that almost all of our students come to us in the elementary with some kind of digital footprint. So what should we do about it?
WE NEED TO TEACH THEM SOME BASICS ABOUT HAVING A DIGITAL FOOTPRINT
- The internet is public and is open to EVERYONE! (Good and Bad!)
- What you do on the internet is NOT PRIVATE AT ALL!
- Once you put something on the internet it is on there forever.
- Think about what you are posting before you post it (Do you want your children or grandma to see it?)
- Do not share personal details on the internet.
- Your reputation can be helped or hurt by your digital footprint
In the article, “Teaching Children About Digital Footprints” the author uses a quote from Chris Betcher that says, “I can see a day in the not too distant future … where your ‘digital footprint’ will carry far more weight than anything you might include in a resume or CV.” It is truth’s like these that we need to make our students aware of now so that they do not make any mistakes that they might regret later.
What if anything are you doing to help our students be ready for their digital footprint and the effect that it will have on their future?
I agree that digital footprints should be somewhat of a concern of all of ours. The stat about two years old really hit home. I have a two year old niece and it is scary to think she is already developing her digital footprint. I think it is very important we educate our students about their digital footprint and we must start this process very young.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to be taking these courses, because it really helps you see how much technology is out there and how large of an impact it can have on your life. I feel more prepared to teach my students now, and I think that instructing these kids has to start with the education of ALL teachers.
DeleteAndrea, I just wanted to second your thought about being glad for taking this class to "see how much technology is out there and how large of an impact it can have on your life." My awareness level has increased tremendously, especially the idea that it's important to proactively create a positive digital presence, not just avoid a negative one. I was thinking that the best choice was to create an "under-the-radar" presence, but now I see more possibilities. My eyes are really opened to see how teachers need more information, and that we should be teaching our children from really young ages about such things as digital footprints.
DeleteI would have been surprised at the statistic about 2 year olds had I not watched a video prior to reading this article-- the video followed a fictitious boy from birth to adulthood and showed how everything (from the day he is born) is put onto the internet through pictures, social media posts, even hospital ID badges! My daughter is 4, and although she doesn't do anything on the internet that I don't get her to, it's scary to think that her digital footprint is growing by the day...We must get our students to understand what they are getting into the moment they tap those icons.
ReplyDeleteIt shocked me as well to see that my daughters have a digital footprint, despite doing nothing to create one. Are there dangers to parents constantly posting photos of their children online? Will kids be angry later in life at their parents lack of privacy toward them.
DeleteDion, I really liked this post and the use of the photos to help illustrate your points, from the toddler on the computer to the older woman using the computer. I think the points that you make and the graphics you use could be used to really engage young kids and help simplify the messages and to to help make them stick. I was really surprised that 92% of two-year-olds have a digital footprint! I will definitely be adding the concept of a digital footprint to my students'curriculum this year.
ReplyDeleteAre we already at an era where your digital footprint is equally, if not more important that what you put on a resume? Would a company overlook a negative digital footprint if a candidate was otherwise perfectly qualified? Would a company hire someone with no digital footprint (I.E. Linkedin...etc). I think having a digital footprint is now more important than ever, provided that it is positive.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is possible a company would overlook people due to their negative digital footprint or lack there of, pending on the job at hand. However I also hope that we will get a point in time where organizations will learn to use good judgement and know that a small glimpse of what they might find in a digital footprint doesn't completely define a person. Think about if employers decided to not consider anyone who has ever had a speeding ticket before - many good potential employees would be passed up, I'm sure!
DeleteI think that we are in an in between stage when it comes to a company hiring someone. I think a company would hire you if you didn't have a large digital footprint. However, I think we are already at a point where our digital footprint does matter when it is negative. Now I do agree with Christian that it may not matter with all jobs but I believe that a good percentage of companies would not hire someone if they have a negative digital footprint.
DeleteI think a big issue regarding digital footprints is that outside of education (and many inside) don't even think about or consider what a digital footprint is. How many parents just give their kids iPads or smartphones with little to no instruction or guidance? There's no digital "talk" that goes on and maybe that's what needs to happen. I think that education will play a big part in teaching good, responsible digital citizenship and footprints but it has to start and be encouraged in the home.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is no digital "talk" regarding social media with at least our students. I think about my 10 year old nephew and how my sister tells him point blank "you can't use social media- ever". Unfortunately, we cannot shelter our kids or our students from the social media world. I'm sure there are lots of parents out there who tell their kids they can't use Facebook or Twitter, but the kids go behind their backs and create their own profiles anyway. If we keep social media from our kids, then how will they handle social media once they are "permitted" to have their own account on their own, or in the work place? Maybe it's better to address the situation than to completely ignore the social media world.
DeleteIt's interesting that 92% of two year olds have digital footprints. It's scary to think that the digital footprints of children are being established by parents who have no idea about a digital footprint or what it means.
ReplyDeleteI also hear all this stuff about a digital footprint, but besides checking a person's social media site, how much access do employers actually have to someone's digital footprint. I know that there is a deep web that can be accessed through pipl or Spokeo, but does this really give future employers a good "map" per-say of a person's digital activity which can then in-turn tell you what you want to know about a person. I'm not sure.
I agree, it is very scary that 92% of two year olds have a digital footprint. The two year old doesn't know what a digital footprint is and it makes it even scary that most of their parents don't know what it is either.
DeleteMy 1 year old already knows how to play on the I pad, and her footprint is easy- its literally on the I pad as she steps on it.
DeleteYour digital footprint can do a lot to improve your reputation, or even destroy it and those around you. We have to be not only digitally responsible, but morally and ethically. I hope we dont lose that in this digital age.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, and you have to be proactive with improving your reputation. People control their own digital footprint. It's about educating students and parents so that they can control that digital footprint in a positive way. The problem with a digital footprint is that most of the time it's out of sight, out of mind.
Delete"92% OF TWO YEAR OLDS HAVE A DIGITAL FOOTPRINT". YIKES!! The statistic is fairly shocking, but but at the same time it makes perfect sense. I'm sure it's my generation (of 20 somethings) that are posting pictures of their children on Facebook and blogs. They, of course, want to share all of the wonderful accomplishments or milestones of their children with the world. We were the first to utilize social media as teenagers to share or lives with the world, so it seems logical to do the same for our children. I also know that many 20-somethings and parents and general don't have the best decision making skills as we would hope, and it wouldn't surprise me if some parents utilize social media to their children's disadvantage.
ReplyDeleteI agree... YIKES! My kids are 6 and 3 and now I know they too have one as well...
DeleteI was on vacation and took a few pics and wanted to show them off by text and instagram... which to my husband signals that dependency of 'real time' updates & staying connected. I was being sent some of my own children and wanted to brag about them having a great time at the in laws out of town...and yet didn't think about it affecting the outcome that it would make it obvious that we were all out of town... things to consider I guess...