With the emphasis on social media and networking, developing a positive digital footprint has become a part of daily life. For some, a digital footprint is not something they are aware of, or worry about. For others, there is an awareness and concern for one's digital footprint. I am planning on developing the following strategies to develop my own positive digital footprint.
1. Keep a List of Accounts: When an account has fulfilled it's purpose and you don't plan on using it anymore, delete it. There have been multiple accounts I've opened to use for a specific purpose. Now that I've finished the project(s) and no longer need the account(s), I will go back and delete my unnecessary accounts (Boyle, 2014; Hudson, n.d.; UK Safer Internet Centre, n.d.).
2. Protect your Passwords: One of the most difficult parts of having an online presence, for me, is having unique passwords that I can utilize quickly. Rogers, 2013, suggests using an online password manager to remember them for you.
3. Be Savvy: Use keywords that relate to what you do in your posts online so you can be found. (Hudson, n.d.)
4. Be Aware: Google yourself! I think this one is self-explanatory, but how are you going to know what your presence looks like if you haven't seen it (Adams, 2013; UK Safer Internet Centre, n.d.)?
5. Manage your Settings: Be sure you know what you are posting online and what others can see. It is a good idea to make sure your settings are such that only friends can see your posts. If your posts are set to public, it is a good idea to change your settings to private (UK Safer Internet Centre, n.d.).
6. Be Deliberate and Get Active: Join social networks to be involved in your Professional Learning Network. Contribute to the social networks you choose to join. Add new content at least once a month so you are not dormant in your network (Adams, 2013).
7. Be Professional: Don't overshare. Some of us don't know when is enough. THINK before you post. Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind? I think Necessary is one of the most important aspects of this question.
8. Keep Private Things Private: Know that anything you share can and will be shared with others. If you don't want anyone to see what you post, don't post it! If others tag you in posts that you don't want shared, untag yourself (Adams, 2013).
9. Separate Private and Professional Information: One of the ways to do so is to open email, Twitter, and blog accounts to keep your private life and your professional life as separate as possible (Boyle, 2014). It's also a good way to keep information organized for yourself.
10. Use Correct Grammar: Reusink, 2014, says that using proper grammar is important; more than half of recruiters had a negative reaction to grammar and spelling mistakes. This is one of the things that pushes my buttons with kids. It is a reflection of education and attitude and will follow them their lives.
Resources:
Adams, Susan. (14 March 2013). 6 Steps to Managing your online Reputation. Retrieved 19 June 2017. www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/03/14/6-steps-to-managing-your-online-reputation/#3d98d2b77679
Boyle, Justin. (8 March 2014). 11 Tips for Students to Manage their Digital Footprints. Retrieved 16 June 2017. www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/digital-citizenship-the-future-of-learning/11-tips-for-students-tomanage-their-digital-footprints/
Hudson. (n.d.) Managing your Digital Footprint. Retrieved 18 June 2017. www.theverge.com/2012/12/19/3699286/how-to-manage-passwords-online
PokaLambro. (30 May 2013). Online Safety Tips...Your Digital Footprint. Retrieved 18 June 2017. www.poka.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277:online-safety-tips-your-digital-footprint&catid=35&Itemid=207
Reusink, Megan. (30 Jan 2014). Social Media Do's and Don'ts: 10 Tips for Keeping your Profiles Professional. Retrieved 18 June 2017. www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/main/guide-to-soc-media-dos-and-donts/
Rogers, Evan. (19 Dec 2012). How to: Manage your passwords online. Retrieved 19 June 2017. www.theverge.com/2012/12/19/3699286/how-to-manage-passwords-online
UK Safer Internet Centre. (n.d.). Create a positive digital footprint online. Retrieved 19 June 2017. www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/create-positive-digital-footprint-online
Waldman, Kenneth. (n.d.). 5 Tips on How to Manage Your Digital Footprint. Retreived 18 June 2017. careerpivot.com/2016/5-tips-manage-your-digital-footprint/
1. Keep a List of Accounts: When an account has fulfilled it's purpose and you don't plan on using it anymore, delete it. There have been multiple accounts I've opened to use for a specific purpose. Now that I've finished the project(s) and no longer need the account(s), I will go back and delete my unnecessary accounts (Boyle, 2014; Hudson, n.d.; UK Safer Internet Centre, n.d.).
2. Protect your Passwords: One of the most difficult parts of having an online presence, for me, is having unique passwords that I can utilize quickly. Rogers, 2013, suggests using an online password manager to remember them for you.
3. Be Savvy: Use keywords that relate to what you do in your posts online so you can be found. (Hudson, n.d.)
4. Be Aware: Google yourself! I think this one is self-explanatory, but how are you going to know what your presence looks like if you haven't seen it (Adams, 2013; UK Safer Internet Centre, n.d.)?
5. Manage your Settings: Be sure you know what you are posting online and what others can see. It is a good idea to make sure your settings are such that only friends can see your posts. If your posts are set to public, it is a good idea to change your settings to private (UK Safer Internet Centre, n.d.).
6. Be Deliberate and Get Active: Join social networks to be involved in your Professional Learning Network. Contribute to the social networks you choose to join. Add new content at least once a month so you are not dormant in your network (Adams, 2013).
7. Be Professional: Don't overshare. Some of us don't know when is enough. THINK before you post. Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind? I think Necessary is one of the most important aspects of this question.
8. Keep Private Things Private: Know that anything you share can and will be shared with others. If you don't want anyone to see what you post, don't post it! If others tag you in posts that you don't want shared, untag yourself (Adams, 2013).
9. Separate Private and Professional Information: One of the ways to do so is to open email, Twitter, and blog accounts to keep your private life and your professional life as separate as possible (Boyle, 2014). It's also a good way to keep information organized for yourself.
10. Use Correct Grammar: Reusink, 2014, says that using proper grammar is important; more than half of recruiters had a negative reaction to grammar and spelling mistakes. This is one of the things that pushes my buttons with kids. It is a reflection of education and attitude and will follow them their lives.
Resources:
Adams, Susan. (14 March 2013). 6 Steps to Managing your online Reputation. Retrieved 19 June 2017. www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/03/14/6-steps-to-managing-your-online-reputation/#3d98d2b77679
Boyle, Justin. (8 March 2014). 11 Tips for Students to Manage their Digital Footprints. Retrieved 16 June 2017. www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/digital-citizenship-the-future-of-learning/11-tips-for-students-tomanage-their-digital-footprints/
Hudson. (n.d.) Managing your Digital Footprint. Retrieved 18 June 2017. www.theverge.com/2012/12/19/3699286/how-to-manage-passwords-online
PokaLambro. (30 May 2013). Online Safety Tips...Your Digital Footprint. Retrieved 18 June 2017. www.poka.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277:online-safety-tips-your-digital-footprint&catid=35&Itemid=207
Reusink, Megan. (30 Jan 2014). Social Media Do's and Don'ts: 10 Tips for Keeping your Profiles Professional. Retrieved 18 June 2017. www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/main/guide-to-soc-media-dos-and-donts/
Rogers, Evan. (19 Dec 2012). How to: Manage your passwords online. Retrieved 19 June 2017. www.theverge.com/2012/12/19/3699286/how-to-manage-passwords-online
UK Safer Internet Centre. (n.d.). Create a positive digital footprint online. Retrieved 19 June 2017. www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/create-positive-digital-footprint-online
Waldman, Kenneth. (n.d.). 5 Tips on How to Manage Your Digital Footprint. Retreived 18 June 2017. careerpivot.com/2016/5-tips-manage-your-digital-footprint/