Digital Footprint

I Googled my name and found my profiles on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Blogger.  I was happy to find nothing negative.  As far as creating a positive digital footprint, I think you would need to be actively posting and making comments that are helpful and encouraging to others.  These could be either professional or personal in nature. 

I have a Twitter account where I follow several educators who share ideas and concepts that use best practices, especially in the area of technology.  Those educators are creating a positive digital footprint because they are sharing their knowledge and expertise.  While I appreciate the efforts of those I follow, I tweet very little.  That won't create a negative digital footprint for me, but it does create a neutral or non-existent one. 

The same can be said for my personal posts on Facebook.  My posts are not negative in any way, but I do not post often.  I cannot establish a positive digital footprint this way. 

Teachers can help their students develop a positive footprint in two ways. 

1. We must warn our students that the internet is a public place and anything they put online is there forever.  This includes but is not limited to e-mails, texts, blog posts, and social media posts.  If it is something they wouldn't want their parents to see, then they should not post it online.

2.  We need to teach our students that the internet is a great place to learn and exchange ideas.  They can establish a positive footprint by posting things that are respectful, kind, intelligent, encouraging, and interesting.