Our Digital Footprint What Is a Digital Footprint? Have you ever been for a walk on the beach and looked behind you to see the footprints your feet left on the sand? After a while, you will notice how far and wide your footprints travel. Have you tried walking lightly to avoid leaving a print? This is almost impossible! Just like the footprints we leave in the sand at the beach, we leave footprints in other places too, sometimes unknowingly. A digital footprint is a name given to all the visual information we leave behind when taking part in online activities. Have you ever checked the history on your computer to see the different websites you have visited? This is a simple example of a digital footprint however, it can be a little more complicated. How Are Digital Footprints Formed? Every time we do anything online, the information we provide is leaving a trail. Have you ever uploaded a video to YouTube or commented on an existing one? Surprise! You have left a digital footprint. What about posting a message to a friend via an email or an app? These can be seen and saved by another person and can often be opened and read many times over. Even typing a search into Google. Every link that you click is providing information, contributing to your digital footprint. Sometimes we share the information knowingly and other times it's less obvious. When we do online grocery shopping we need to provide details so that our shopping can be delivered to the correct address. Other times, by viewing videos and ‘liking’ things on social media we are providing the owners of the app with information about our likes and interests and therefore we see more of this type of content. “student_ipad_school - 130” by flickingerbrad is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Why Is It Important to Be Aware of the Digital Footprints You Are Leaving Behind? We have a collective responsibility to be safe, responsible and respectful when leaving a digital footprint. There are certain situations when it is inappropriate to provide private information online. This includes our full name, address, school, credit card details or phone number. For example, you wouldn’t post this private information on social media but rather you might like to share personal information, such as your hobbies and favourite things. In other circumstances, such as buying items online, it may be more appropriate to share private information. However, this must only be done with the permission and supervision of a responsible and trusted adult. We would never provide our private information to anyone that asks for it in chat rooms. It is important to stop and consider the information you are potentially providing for the world to see. Ask yourself, would you be ok if your mum, dad or teachers saw what you post or search online? If you wouldn’t feel comfortable with their eyes seeing it, perhaps it would be best not to share. The content you post is like providing a digital ‘first impression’ of yourself. What you choose to post, click, share and write will influence people’s opinions. Content that reflects negatively can impact you years in the future. For example, if you applied for a job, it is common that companies will search for you using search engines to find your social media accounts to gain a better understanding of your views and opinions. If your social media account reflects the values of the company, they may offer you the job. If your social media account reflects negatively on your reputation, you may be unsuccessful for the position. If you are ever unsure about your actions when online, always speak to a trusted adult first. Delete anything inappropriate. Although they are deleted and less visible for others to see, the footprint still remains. If the content contains a person in an image, permission should always be provided before anything is put online. If you are unhappy with something that has been posted you have the right to ask for it to be removed. Clean Up Your Digital Footprint Technology is amazing but we all have a responsibility to use it safely, responsibly and respectfully. Treat your online behaviour the same you would in daily life - be kind, show respect and think about your actions. Make your digital footprint one others are interested in following. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint: Questions 1. What is a digital footprint? 2. List as many examples of a digital footprint that you can think of: 3. Give an example of when we are knowingly sharing our information and an example of when it is less obvious. 4. Give some examples of what information would be appropriate to share on social media. 5. What question should you ask yourself before posting anything online? Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint: Questions 6. What is an example of being safe, responsible and respectful when online? 7. What is a digital ‘first impression’? Give an example of what a positive digital ‘first impression’ might look like. How long does your digital footprint last for? 8. 9. Describe the last digital footprint you left? 10. What would you like your digital footprint to look like? Describe it. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint Answers 1. What is a digital footprint? A digital footprint is all the visual information we leave behind when taking part in online activities. 2. List as many examples of a digital footprint that you can think of: Answers will vary but might include: • sending an email • posting text or images to social media • liking other people’s content on social media • doing searches in search engines • taking part in a video call 3. Give an example of when we are knowingly sharing our information and an example of when it is less obvious. Responses may vary but would include: • We might knowingly share personal information when doing online shopping. • We might unknowingly share information when we ‘like’ content on social media. 4. Give some examples of what information would be appropriate to share on social media. Responses may vary but should include something about our hobbies and favourite things. 5. What question should you ask yourself before posting anything online? I should ask myself, am I comfortable with my mum, dad and teachers seeing this information? Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint Answers 6. What is an example of being safe, responsible and respectful when online? Responses may vary but an example might be: • An example of being safe online would be to not post private information about myself or others online. • An example of being respectful would be to protect my own and others reputations online when I search, post or share information. 7. What is a digital ‘first impression’? Give an example of what a positive digital ‘first impression’ might look like. Responses may vary but an example might include, A ‘digital impression’ is the information you provide about yourself online that influences people’s opinion of you. I would like to leave people with the impression that…(answers will vary). 8. How long does your digital footprint last for? My digital footprint lasts forever. Even if it is deleted, it is less visible for people to see but the information still remains. 9. Describe the last digital footprint you left? Responses will vary. Some examples might include, sending an email to my teacher, posting a message to my friend via an app, searching a topic on a search engine. 10. What would you like your digital footprint to look like? Describe it. A response may include a descriptive response of how the student would like to be viewed as a positive member of society. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint What Is a Digital Footprint? Have you ever been for a walk on the beach and looked behind you to see the footprints your feet left on the sand? After a while, you will notice how far and wide your footprints travel. Have you tried walking lightly to avoid leaving a print? This is almost impossible! Just like the footprints we leave in the sand at the beach, we leave footprints in other places too, sometimes unknowingly. A digital footprint is a name given to all the visual information we leave behind when taking part in online activities. Have you ever checked the history on your computer to see the different websites you have visited? This is a simple example of a digital footprint; however, it can be a little more complicated. How Are Digital Footprints Formed? Every time we do anything online, the information we provide is leaving a trail. Have you ever uploaded a video to YouTube or commented on an existing one? Surprise! You have left a digital footprint. What about posting a message to a friend via an email or an app? These can be seen and saved by another person and can often be opened and read many times over. Even typing a search into Google. Every link that you click is providing information, contributing to your digital footprint. Why Is It Important to Be Aware of the Digital Footprints You Are Leaving Behind? We have a collective responsibility to be safe, responsible and respectful when leaving a digital footprint. There are certain situations when it is inappropriate to provide private information online. This includes our full name, address, school, credit card details or phone number. For example, you wouldn’t post this private information on social media but rather you might like to share personal information, such as your hobbies and favourite things. In other circumstances, such as buying items online, it may be more appropriate to share private information. However, this must only be done with the permission and supervision of a responsible and trusted adult. “student_ipad_school - 130” by flickingerbrad is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au We would never provide our private information to anyone that asks for it in chat rooms. It is essential to stop and consider the information you are potentially providing for the world to see. Ask yourself, would I be ok if my mum, dad or teachers saw what I post or search for online? If you wouldn’t feel comfortable with their eyes seeing it, perhaps it would be best not to share. The content you post is like providing a digital ‘first impression’ of yourself. What you choose to post, click, share and write will influence people’s opinions. For example, content that reflects negatively can impact you years in the future. If you are ever unsure about your actions when online, always speak to a trusted adult first. Delete anything inappropriate. Although they are deleted and less visible for others to see, the footprint remains. Clean Up Your Digital Footprint Technology is fantastic, but we all have a responsibility to use it safely, responsibly and respectfully. Treat your online behaviour the same as you would in daily life - be kind, show respect and think about your actions. Make your digital footprint one others are interested in following. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint: Questions 1. What is a digital footprint? 2. List three different ways you can leave a digital footprint: 3. What is an example of private information? 4. What question should you ask yourself before posting anything online? 5. What are the three collective responsibilities we have when leaving a digital footprint? Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint: Questions 6. What does a digital ‘first impression’ do? 7. What should you do if you are unsure if your online activity is appropriate or not? 8. How long does your digital footprint last for? 9. Describe the last digital footprint you left? 10. What would you like your digital footprint to look like? Describe it. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint Answers 1. What is a digital footprint? A digital footprint is all the visual information we leave behind when taking part in online activities. 2. List three different ways you can leave a digital footprint: Answers will vary but might include: • posting a video to YouTube. • sending an email or a message via an app to a friend. • searching in Google. 3. What is an example of private information? Students could provide examples that were not directly stated but those that were referred to in the text include, full name, address, phone number, school or credit card details. 4. What question should you ask yourself before posting anything online? I should ask myself, am I comfortable with my mum, dad or teacher seeing this? 5. What are the three collective responsibilities we have when leaving a digital footprint? We are responsible for staying safe, acting responsibly and respectful online. Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint Answers 6. What does a digital ‘first impression’ do?? A digital ‘first impression’ influences people’s opinion of myself through the digital footprint I leave online. 7. What should you do if you are unsure if your online activity is appropriate or not? If I’m unsure my online activity is appropriates I should ask a responsible and trusted adult. 8. How long does your digital footprint last for? Forever. Even if it is deleted it is less visible for people to see but the information still remains. 9. Describe the last digital footprint you left? Responses will vary. Some examples might include, sending an email to my teacher, posting a message to my friend via an app, searching a topic on a search engine. 10. What would you like your digital footprint to look like? Describe it. Responses will vary but may include a descriptive response of how they would like to be viewed as a positive member of society. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint What Is a Digital Footprint? Have you ever been for a walk on the beach and looked behind you to see the footprints your feet left on the sand? After a while, you will notice how far and wide your footprints travel. Have you tried walking lightly to avoid leaving a print? This is almost impossible! Just like the footprints we leave in the sand at the beach, we also leave footprints in other places, including online. We call this a digital footprint. A digital footprint is what is left behind when taking part in online activities. We are in charge of our digital footprint. How Are Digital Footprints Formed? Every time we do anything online, the information we provide is leaving a trail. Some examples might include: • Uploading a video to YouTube or commenting on an existing one • Emailing a friend • Posting on social media • Filling in an online form or registration • Agree to install programs when prompted by a message • Searching Google • Shopping online for items or food “student_ipad_school - 130” by flickingerbrad is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Why Is It Important to Be Aware of the Digital Footprints You Are Leaving Behind? We have a responsibility to be safe, responsible and respectful when leaving a digital footprint. There are certain times that it is not OK to provide private information when online. Private information is the information that identifies who you are. This includes our full name, address, school, credit card details or phone number. For example, you wouldn’t post your private information on social media. Instead, you might like to share information about yourself, including your hobbies and favourite things. You might have to share this information when buying items online; however, this is only done with the permission and supervision of a responsible and trusted adult. We would never provide our private information to anyone that asks for it in chat rooms. It is essential to stop and think about the information you might put online. This is because everyone in the world might be able to see it. Ask yourself, would you be OK if your mum, dad or teachers saw what you post or search for online? If you wouldn’t be comfortable with their eyes seeing it, it is not OK to post. Remember that information you share, post or write is online forever, even if it is deleted the footprint remains. Clean Up Your Digital Footprint Technology is fantastic but we all have a responsibility to use it safely, responsibly and respectfully. Make your digital footprint one that others are interested in following. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint: Questions 1. What is a digital footprint? 2. Who is in charge of your digital footprint? 3. Given an example of how you can leave a digital footprint. 4. What are the three collective responsibilities we have when leaving a digital footprint? 5. What is an example of private information? Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint: Questions 6. What information is OK to share on social media about yourself? 7. Can you delete your digital footprint? 8. Who can you ask for help if you are unsure when working or sharing things online? 9. What was the last digital footprint you left? 10. What would you like your digital footprint to look like? Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint Answers 1. What is a digital footprint? A digital footprint is all the visual information we leave behind when taking part in online activities. 2. Who is in charge of your digital footprint? I am in charge of my digital footprint. 3. Given an example of how you can leave a digital footprint. Any of the following answers are acceptable from the text: • Uploading a video to Youtube or commenting on an existing one • Emailing a friend • Posting on social media • Filling in an online form or registration • Agree to install programs when prompted by a message • Doing a search in Google • Shopping online for items or food 4. What are the three collective responsibilities we have when leaving a digital footprint? The three collective responsibilities we have when leaving a digital footprint are being safe, responsibility and respectful. 5. What is an example of private information? Private information includes my full name, address, school, credit card details or phone number. Page 1 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au Our Digital Footprint Answers 6. What information is OK to share on social media about yourself? It’s OK for me to share my hobbies and favourite things online. 7. Can you delete your digital footprint? No, if a digital footprint is deleted it becomes less visible but it remains online forever. 8. Who can you ask for help if you are unsure when working or sharing things online? I can ask a responsible and trusted adult like mum or dad to help me online. 9. What was the last digital footprint you left? Responses may vary. Some examples might include, sending an email to my teacher, posting a message to my friend via an app, searching a topic on a search engine. 10. What would you like your digital footprint to look like? Responses may vary but may include a descriptive response of how they would like to be viewed as a positive member of society. Page 2 of 2 visit twinkl.com.au
