To avoid having online regrets, we all need to take responsibility for how we appear online. This can have an impact on us in the real world – both professionally and personally.
It’s important that learners develop the skills to be thoughtful, cautious and creative while online. To do this they need to understand that anything they do on the online can last forever.
Our online activities form trails that can be followed by anyone, not just family and friends, but also employers, advertisers, large corporations, and even cyber criminals.
The good news is that there are ways we can maintain and manage our digital footprints.
It’s possible to check your personal trail by entering your name into different search engines. Learners should know how to protect their online identity by checking their privacy settings, creating strong passwords, and safely managing browser history and cookies. They should also know that it is possible to ask for material to be taken down.
But, good digital footprint management skills are also about helping learners to be a positive online presence. You can make them aware that this will improve their reputations and future employment prospects.
Being creative online is a great way for young people to explore who they are and to learn to express themselves more confidently.
That’s why we should encourage young people to behave in a constructive way by publishing positive content that reflects well on them and inspires others.
In this short film for teachers Jennifer Jones explains why it's important for students to know how to protect their online identity.
While we should encourage students to use online resources, it is up to them to manage their online identity responsibly.
Teacher notes
Students need to understand that online content can last forever and that any negative content can reflect badly on them. They should know that the trail left by their online activities could be followed by potential employers as well as friends and family and even cyber criminals. It is possible to manage their digital footprint.
Students should be encouraged to be creative and thoughtful online and know that this will reflect well on them. But at the same time they also need to be cautious about what they put online and also understand that it is possible to request that any negative content be removed.
Being responsible and cautious, and checking your online footprint can help avoid any negative content being seen.
More from this series:
Health and wellbeing. video
In this short film for teachers Rhys ap William discusses how important it is for students to learn how to interact online.
Digital rights, licensing and ownership. video
In this short film for teachers Jennifer Jones explains how important it is that students understand the rules of online copyright.
Online behaviour and cyberbullying. video
In this short film for teachers Rhys ap William explains how to help students recognise negative online behaviour.
