Impact of Digital Footprint

 

 What is Digital Footprint?

A digital footprint refers to the trail of data that a person leaves when using the internet, including websites visited, emails sent, and information submitted online.

Impact of Digital Footprint

Mental health

Students who use the internet regularly may experience online bullying by being the centre of negative comments, posts and images that are shared and posted without permission for the purpose to humiliate and hurt. These students who are targets of cyberbullying (33%) identify that their mental health has negatively been impacted (Gordan, 2021). A poor digital footprint has the ability to not only negatively impact your own life but also those you network with.

Disciplinary action and missed opportunities

Individuals who share and post inappropriate content may find themselves haunted by their actions for years to come. It has been reported that (55%) of companies have within their policy that candidates applying for employment must have their social media profiles checked before being offered a position at the company.

Privacy concerns

When we work in the online space we are potentially leaving behind important information for online hackers and identity thieves (Plaggemier, 2020).Students should be taught from a young age about not giving out passwords, personal information and not talking to strangers online, however with many students choosing to involve themselves with social media sites and apps (whether of age or not) students could be putting their privacy at risk and giving opportunity for someone to observe and collect data which can be used in a harmful way. Students need to be aware that they can be giving away their private information by checking in at locations, sharing videos and photos which may have identified features to events or commenting on their future plans online.