Digital Footprint and Reputation

1. Based on the content provided, what are your greatest concerns with your digital reputation?

My greatest concerns regarding my digital reputation would be not having control over what other people post about me. Today I am much more aware of the consequences of what I post on the internet. I do not understand why people feel the need to document their every move. People are so quick to take out a camera and take pictures of themselves or other people, whether or not they want their picture taken. About two years ago I had to ask someone to take a picture they took of me off of Facebook. The picture showed me with a beer in my hand while attending a concert. I was not posing for the picture and did not feel they had the right to upload a photo without me knowing. I do not like the fact that content uploaded to the internet can be taken out of context. People can create their own perception of you based on what they see on the internet. I think it is extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and be conscious of the fact that it only takes seconds for someone to record you and share the content with the world.

2. What precautions do you have to take to preserve your digital reputation?

Many social media sites just started to become popular when I entered college. This left my generation with little knowledge about how our digital reputation could effect our lives/careers in the future. Since becoming an educator, I have taken many steps to ensure that my digital presence is very limited. I have changed all of the privacy settings on social media platforms so that it it almost impossible to search for me. I do not go by my real name on Facebook and have asked friends to never post any pictures without me knowing. I like to stay in touch with old friends from college, but only use private messaging to communicate with people. I am very pleased to find only positive information about me on the internet. Most of the information revolves around extracurricular activities I am involved with for my school district.

3. As an educator or company your work for, are you held to the same ‘digital reputation’ standard as others?  Is the standard you are held to fair/unfair? Why?

As an educator I believe that I am held to a much higher standard then others. We spend a lot of time with our students and can be big influences in their lives. It is important to be positive role models and show good moral character. Parent's are putting their trust in our hands to help mold children into productive members of society. If our digital reputation contradicts our role as educators, we our in the wrong profession.

4. Whose responsibility is it to teach our children/students to understand/preserve his or her digital footprint/reputation? Educators? Parents? Or is the responsibility on them?

I believe that parents, educators and children share the responsibility to understand the importance of ones digital reputation. I think that children today are much more aware of how the internet can negatively effect a persons reputation. This can make parents and educators jobs easier when talking to children about the dangers of uploading content to the internet.  I am a firm believer in the fact that children need to take more responsibility for their actions. I find that many students of mine are quick to blame others for things that were clearly their fault. It is the jobs of parents and educators to guide students into the right direction, but ultimately it is the students who need to make the correct decisions.

5. Have you or someone you know ever been negatively(or positively) affected by something found online?  Share if you'd like. 

Last year a student at my school posted some negative content about our assistant principal. The image and comments eventually got back to the school. The student was suspended and his reputation was tarnished for the remainder of the school year. Although the students actions took place outside of school, he was still held accountable. This is a simple case of how your digital reputation can directly affect other aspects of your life.