Today, I googled myself. I wasn’t actually that surprised by what I found. The sites that popped up, were ones I was ok with being public. However, I did notice that some of my friends’ pictures popped up. Also, I did realize I need to change my Google + settings.
I am reading articles about digital footprint within the schools. I am not advocating that students shouldn’t bet taught about their digital footprints or digital citizenship. They need to understand that EVERYTHING they post online can be accessed. Those posts that people think are private, are not private at all.
In the article, 10 Things Your Students Should Know About Their Digital Footprints, it mentions all the horrible, terrifying aspects of being digital.This article screams judgement. But at what cost? Thankfully, every move and mistake I ever made was not plastered for the world the see. Students should be aware of their digital footprint! Yet, I also think that people (educators, parents, admissions, future employers) need to understand (within reason) that a person can be extremely professional and talented regardless of their personal Facebook page. What these students post at 15 is not going to be how they think at 25, 35, 45, etc. I am not discussing cases of legality and harassment. I am mentioning the everyday things that teenagers rant about.
If every admissions office googles the current 8th graders throughout their teenage careers, would ANY of them get into college? Would they be considered employable? I often second guess everything I post and make my personal Facebook as private as possible. I know that companies and colleges have ways around it. Is that fair? I know prominent companies can gain access, but is that any indication of how good I am at my job? I actually don’t believe it does. Then again, I also always second guess what I post.
As mentioned in the video below, students needs to be aware of Internet safety and the legality of being too personal and too honest online. There is a line that people, especially students, shouldn’t cross. Students need to be responsible online and in person. They must understand that their consequences have actions.
This is where I think technology is failing. Judging someone without every really knowing their talent, gifts, professionalism, or even meeting them in person. What character qualities does that teach children? “Be perfect!” “Don’t ever mess up!” “Mistakes will ruin your life for good!” “There are NO second chances!” “Don’t be too different!” The funny and ironic part is those things are exactly what I am trying NOT to teach them.
Students should know without a doubt that everything they post is truly public and there are consequences for their actions. People in authority should also have a certain amount grace and mercy. There is gray area between the black and white.
Ms. Marcum's Mission 
I agree, students need to be taught to watch what they post just like they watch what they would say, but they are going to make mistakes. They should not be judged at 25 based on something they did at 16. Thank goodness that did not happen to me. I would never have gotten a job if the mistakes I made then followed me later in life. I find myself living in the grey all the time though.
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True point! Our generation is very fortunate that we just missed the mark of having our every move tagged, tweeted, and liked.
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Thankfully we can teach students to take control of their digital footprint. That way, what rises to the top of a search by a potential college or employer will be all the positive stuff, not the silly stuff that may have inadvertently posted online as an experimenting 8th grader.
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Agreed. I think that students should be extremely aware of their online presence. Digital citizenship is vital for their career as students and beyond. My only point was that those in authority should also be more understanding since many did not have to deal with this as teenagers themselves.
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Hi,
I read this after I posted my first blog for course 2: same theme- I write about being “oldish” and how I am kinda thankful for that because I am pretty sure that I would have messed up somewhere online the internet line. What you write about is so important. We need to understand that people grow, change and make mistakes. That being said, I think that the earlier we teach them about digital footprints (in a positive way, not as a scare tactic), the more helpful it will be for kids growing up in the wonderful world of technology. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Yes, I completely agree that digital footprints and citizenship should be started from the moment that students step into school. It is vital that they are aware of their presence online.
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““There are NO second chances!” “Don’t be too different!” The funny and ironic part is those things are exactly what I am trying NOT to teach them.”
Love it.
How do you address that tension? How do you help them create a space that’s shared but safe?
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I attempt to get to realize that privacy on Internet is somewhat non-existent. If you ask my students who has access to their blogs, they “know” that anyone in the world with Internet access can see it. I also don’t want to use scare tactics for them either. I do think that teaching them about their footprints and digital citizenship is extremely important. However, it has to start earlier than upper elementary and middle school. It’s not easy because their lives in cyberworld is normal and has always been that way. I am just hoping that I am making them aware of their actions while also allowing them some freedoms as well.
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