1. How might your digital footprint affect your future opportunities? Give at least two examples.
Some positive effects my digital footprint could have, are showing my open-mindedness and bravery. I could be caught up in an argument or such, and I could be seeing both sides of the argument and making sure to listen to both opinions. My footprint could show my courageousness if I were to defend someone or something. If I were to upload pictures of my hobbies and interests, employers may find certain things favorable. A negative effect my digital footprint may have is if I were to recklessly post something. Over 70% of employers nowadays use social media as a screening tool. If I was reckless with what I posted on social media, I could lose my job which would have an influence on any future jobs I want as well.
2. Describe at least three strategies that you can use to keep your digital footprint appropriate and safe.
One of the most obvious strategies is the THINK acronym, using this acronym before you post could prevent things from embarrassment to harassment. If you were to post something, be sure it is something you are ok showing to strangers. Changing your privacy settings is another strategy, if you do not want strangers to judge what you post, or you do not want your posts to impede your professional life, then change your settings to only show posts to specific people. Remember that anything and everything will be remembered by the internet, if you were to post something, then find it embarrassing you would probably delete it. Unfortunately, there is a good chance people have already seen it, and maybe even taken screenshots to share to other people. Just because you deleted something does not mean that others can not find and retrieve it.
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 was always quite careful when it came to social media so I would often take precautions when being online. When I was younger, any social accounts I had were private so strangers could not see my posts. I would tell my younger self about the THINK acronym and encourage her to use it before she plans to post anything. I would also tell her that the internet always remembers, if she were to post something, she should make sure she is ok with others seeing it. If she were to delete that post, then she should know that it might not be truly gone.