What Is Your Digital Footprint?

Social media and other internet activities have brought great excitement and enthusiasm within our daily lives, but at the same time can be a great danger to us in the future if we do not use them wisely. Internet is there for numerous purposes; research, work, communication, entertainment etc. The way we use it should be a major concern to ourselves, whether we use it positively or negatively.

 Every internet user leaves what is called a digital footprint as he/she browses the internet. This is basically a trail left by interactions in digital systems; mobile phones, the internet and even television. Digital footprints give data of what has been performed or where you have been in the digital world. The minute you apply any information on the internet, you essentially leave a bit of information about yourself, which is your digital footprint. Just like we walk on a sandy beach, we leave footprints on the sand showing that someone with either a big or small foot passed by.

A digital footprint is not factually your identity like a national identification card (I.D) or passport. It is like leaving a mark like a footstep; it is information reflecting your preferences and habits depending on the type of information you input on the internet. There are both good and bad footprints. The internet can store a lot of information about an individual for many years, so before you write, tweet, comment, share information or upload pictures on the internet, think critically before you do it. One negative comment or picture of yours can be used against you in the future if it ends up in the wrong hands.

For instance, you might graduate from Law school and apply for a job at a particular Law firm. That company then realizes that you actually had a negative comment or article about them years back, resulting in your job application being denied or even being blacklisted. These days, companies and universities use search engines to check about you so they get more information on what you do or have done in the past. If you have positive digital footprints; that would definitely be an advantage for you but if the footprints are bad you might kiss good bye to a good opportunity.

There is no more privacy to one’s personal life nowadays depending on how often a person uses the internet or other digital systems, and how one applies information on it. Because of network sites, it is easy to find out about an internet user’s personal life. One good example is Facebook. On your Facebook page people may know about your location and give them the attention to what you are currently doing, have done, or going to be doing with specific timing of those events.  It is not a bad idea for people knowing about your personal details, but posting negative information and someone using it against you can create problems for you in future.

 For an example, tweeting or posting pictures of yourself drunk or half-naked thinking it is cool; these pictures can be used against you because you will be showing your reckless habits and bad life style.

If you comment or like a picture, status or retweet something, a friend’s friend can also see what you like and dislike. That information about you can be passed on without you knowing or can even be published in a local newspaper or leaked to some gossip websites and go viral. Yes you can have the rights to the information you put up on the internet but this still does not stop people using your information. If someone uses your information falsely or without your permission, you could probably sue them but that is not an easy undertaking. What I am getting at is that, yes post whatever you want but be descent.

The best advice is, having good and positive digital footprints. When making comments about anything whether it is a good or unscrupulous status, try to be polite and post decent materials on the internet. Make sure you always log off websites and delete the history; the websites may keep your passwords resulting in someone hacking your accounts and creating a negative image of you. Or use private browsing which allows you to browse without your destination being recorded. But what your posts still remain on the internet. 

When people behave badly on the internet the police can now track down to whoever is involved in misconduct. When you log on to the internet your computer receives an IP (Internet Protocol) address which can be used to track down who was using that computer at a particular time.

Make sure you always have positive digital footprints. Inappropriate information can cost you badly in your future. Think about it.