1. How might your digital footprint affect your future opportunities? Give at least two examples.

Anyone has access to most things you post, comment, like, share, follow, etc, including people who hire you, no one wants to have someone with a negative or immature digital footprint working for/representing them. Another person who can see things you post is the one who accepts you into college/university, so it’s always a good idea to make sure your digital footprint is something you’re proud of. 

2. Describe at least three strategies that you can use to keep your digital footprint appropriate and safe.

One way to keep your digital footprint appropriate is by using the T.H.I.N.K. strategy. T – is it true, H – is it helpful – I – is it inspiring. N – is it necessary, K – is it kind. This is a good way to filter out things that maybe don’t need to be said.

Another way to maintain an appropriate footprint is by thinking what you would do if your grandmother saw your post or comment, how you would feel or what you would do, with this way of thinking, it’s easy to reconsider commenting or posting something.

A way to keep your digital footprint safe is by checking the privacy of your accounts. Seeing who can/does follow you and who can see what you’ve liked, followed, posted, etc. I wouldn’t want some random person who I don’t even know to be following my accounts.

3. If you could go back in time, is there anything that you would do differently online? Think of what advice you would pass on to your younger self or other students.

I would have avoided getting Instagram, I never posted on it and it almost felt like a chore. It was unnecessary to me; I still made friends and shared experiences after deleting it. It also sets so many standards for young people, especially girls, that I think it’s better to go without it.