Digital Citizenship Lesson Plans

From social media profiles to online shopping habits, every click, like, and comment leaves a digital footprint. But what exactly is a digital footprint, and why does it matter? As part of our digital citizenship lesson plans, let’s explore this important concept and how you can navigate it responsibly. 

Understanding the Digital Footprint

Your digital footprint is the trail of data you leave behind as you interact with websites, social media platforms, and other online services. This footprint includes information such as your social media posts, comments, photos, videos, online purchases, search history, and more. 

The devices you use, like smartphones and computers, leave behind traces of your online activity.

Why Does It Matter?

Your digital footprint can have long-lasting implications, both positive and negative. Here’s why it’s essential to be mindful of it:

1. Future Opportunities: Colleges, universities, and employers (and even future potential significant others) often research individuals online. A positive digital footprint can showcase your accomplishments, interests, and character, potentially opening doors to opportunities. Conversely, a negative digital footprint, filled with inappropriate content or questionable behavior, can harm your prospects.

2. Privacy and Security: Information shared online can be difficult to erase completely. Even if you delete a post or photo, it may still exist on servers or in the caches of others who have seen it. Someone might even take a screenshot without you knowing. Being aware of your digital footprint helps protect your privacy and reduce the risk of identity theft or online harassment.

3. Personal Branding: Your online presence is a reflection of who you are. By curating your digital footprint thoughtfully, you can shape your personal brand and how others perceive you. This can be especially important as you transition from high school to college and beyond.

Managing Your Digital Footprint

Now that you understand the importance of your digital footprint, here are some tips for managing it effectively:

1. Think Before You Post: Before sharing anything online, consider its potential impact. Ask yourself if the content aligns with your values and how you would feel if others, including future colleges or employers, saw it.

2. Use Privacy Settings: Most social media platforms offer privacy settings that allow you to control who can see your posts and personal information. Take advantage of these settings to limit your digital footprint to trusted friends and followers.

3. Regularly Review Your Accounts: Periodically review your social media accounts, as well as any other online profiles or accounts you may have. Delete or update any content that no longer represents you positively.

4. Protect Your Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts, and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your accounts and protects your digital footprint from being compromised.

5. Be Wary of Oversharing: While it’s natural to want to share aspects of your life online, be cautious about oversharing personal information. Avoid posting sensitive details such as your address, phone number, or financial information.

6. Talk To Others: Help your friends and peers understand the importance of managing yours and their digital footprints responsibly. While you might want a picture with your friends or family as a personal memory, they might want to post it. It is okay to communicate and set clear expectations about what you are comfortable sharing about yourself online. 

It Would Never Happen To Me! Digital Footprint Gone Wrong 

A lot of this information about digital footprints might not be new information to you. We all have probably heard an adult warn us about something like, “Whatever you post online can live there forever.” And while the ominous warning might sound like exaggeration, it is important to consider the consequences of our digital footprint. 

Imagine this scenario: 

Sarah and her friend Emily are chatting on Snapchat, sharing funny selfies and updates about their day. Sarah decides to send Emily a private Snapchat message containing a silly photo of herself making a goofy face. Unbeknownst to Sarah, Emily decides to screenshot the photo before it disappears, violating the trust of their private conversation.

Later that day, Emily shows the screenshot to a group of friends during lunch at school, thinking it’s harmless fun. However, one of the friends in the group takes a photo of the screenshot with their phone and shares it with others via text message. Before long, the silly photo of Sarah making a funny face has spread far beyond the confines of her private conversation with Emily.

To make matters worse, one of the recipients decides to post the photo on social media, where it quickly gains traction and begins circulating among classmates and even reaches students from other schools. Sarah, who thought she was sending a private message to a trusted friend, is now mortified as her silly photo becomes the subject of ridicule and gossip among her peers.

In this example, Sarah’s private Snapchat message was exposed due to the actions of her friend Emily, who violated the trust of their private conversation by taking a screenshot. From there, the photo was shared further without Sarah’s consent, ultimately leading to its widespread distribution and the loss of Sarah’s privacy.

This scenario underscores the importance of being cautious about what you share online, even in seemingly private conversations, as well as respecting the privacy of others.