Well according many sources, a digital footprint is the information or trail of data that we create as a result of our various online activity (Digital Footprint, OxfordLanguages, 2021; Digital Footprint, TechTerms, 2014). This online activity could be the emails you send along with your email account, the websites you visit, or the online accounts that you have created. Activity such as posting, tweeting or blogging on social media platforms is a very intentional way to expand your online footprint (TechTerms, 2014). All of these actions can be tracked, and even the more time online (on Facebook or Instagram for example) adds to our footprint we leave on the internet.
According to TechTerms, there are two kinds of online footprints we can leave: both ‘active’ and ‘passive’ (2014). An active digital footprint is the one that we intend to make. The emails we send or save and various online accounts we make as well (TechTerms, 2014). A lot of this information sits online, so even when you delete an email, it can say on the web for a lot longer than we sometimes anticipate (Your Digital Footprint Matters, 2021).
Our passive footprint is less intentional because creating it can be as simple as making a google search or visiting a website. For example, “when you visit a website, the web server may log your IP address, which identifies your Internet service provider and your approximate location” (TechTerms, 2014, par. 2). This insight is why our privacy settings are so important. Even though this IP address might not include any personal information it is still considered a part of our digital footprint as it tracks our movement and activity (Your Digital Footprint Matters, 2021).
All of this information is very important to consider when we think of the education sector and the safety of our students. Both adults and kids alike are increasing their screen time as the necessity for technology continues to rise. As I have stated in previous posts, teaching students the importance of online safety is crucial to their own awareness and usage. In some studies, it has been shown that between the ages of 10 and 12 is when children have reached the appropriate age to learn cyber safety in depth and use this knowledge to actively and positively create their digital footprint using responsibility and caution (Buchanan et al., 2017).
Although this information is both interesting and useful, we know that children start using the internet before these adolescent years. As educators, it is important to demonstrate and model positive digital citizenship in order to teach children (no matter their age) how to create their digital footprint responsibly. Creating a positive footprint could mean monitoring what websites are visited and what comments or posts are made on different social platforms because these things could matter later. Do not assume that they are learning or practicing these skills at home. Continuing to assess their knowledge will be crucial to providing them with useful information about internet usage (Buchanan et al., 2017).
As a teacher, this model behaviour might mean narrating your online movements while showing a primary class a video; moreover, explaining why you are taking the steps you are doing while being on the internet. In my practicum experiences, I have also seen teachers create their own website with previously vetted games and learning activities to help their students navigate their computer time with ease and safety. Practicing and demonstrating these online skills to our students is a good first step to preparing them for the online world and technologies.
References
Buchanan, R., Southgate, E., Smith, S. P., Murray T. & Noble, B. (2017). Post no Photos, Leave no Trace: Children’s Digital Footprint Management Strategies. E-Learning and Digital Media, 14(5), 275-290. https://doi-org.prxy.lib.unbc.ca/10.1177/2042753017751711.
Internet Society. (2021). Your Digital Footprint Matters. https://www.internetsociety.org/tutorials/your-digital-footprint-matters/.
TechTerms. (2014, May 26). Digital Footprint. Sharpened Products. https://techterms.com/definition/digital_footprint.
OxfordLanguages. (2021). Digital Footprint. Oxford University Press. https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/.
