Digital Footprints

Thinking about my digital footprint has caused me to flip flop back and forth all week about the benefits of having one.  One thought tells me I should try to remain current and understand all the benefits of having a positive digital footprint.  It's a conscious effort to build a positive digital footprint, but how many of us have been conscious of this effort?  Unknowingly we have deposited information about ourselves not only on social media sites (which I have avoided until now) but with shopping online, using our credit cards and the data contained in surveillance cameras!



Hamilton, C. (cc) 2015

My libertarian self balks at the idea of being followed and watched so closely.  Yes, there are safety issues here and of course people involved in criminal activities can be apprehended because of digital footprints they are leaving.  But what about the rest of law abiding citizens, is it truly necessary to be watched every time you are in a public place, post a message on Facebook or send a text message?  Maybe we aren't watched every time but the opportunity exists to be watched without the knowledge of it. We are bound to make a mistake somewhere or sometime.  We aren't perfect beings.  Should our imperfections as humans be used to justify why we weren't offered a job, cannot get in programs at school because of a minor criminal charge or denied access to cross the border?

When I shift my view of digital footprints and particularly the necessity to have a positive digital footprint, I see opportunities to engage with others in a global context, to build up knowledge, collaborate and work with others, connect with peers and experts and build up a positive digital footprint that invites people to seek you out.  These connections can create your job, career, voice and opportunities that were not imaginable a few short years ago.  This aspect of a positive digital footprint makes me pause to think of possibilities! yes, you should have a digital footprint...and keep track of it. 

Understanding how to blog well can add to your positive digital footprint and can foster the growth of a community.  In this Brock coursework, we can grow a community of learners all striving to understand the importance of our digital footprint in today's world.  The downside is we can interpret the information we read on blogs as factual, when they are not 7 things you should know about blogs
Awareness of our responsibilities as a digital citizen is an important tool when managed properly.   I am hopeful with time and practice, I will alleviate my fears of the unknown technology and the sense I am abandoning my privacy. It will be interesting to go back and read this week one post at week twelve and see what my thoughts are then!  Scary as all this technology can be with the sense of losing oneself in it, I'm sure this learning experience will conquer most of my fears.  We'll see.

Christine