How It Began -Digital Footprint “Did you know the computer was born not for entertainment or email but out of a need to solve a serious number-crunching crisis? By 1980, the US population had grown so large that it took more than seven years to tabulate the U.S. Census results. The government sought a faster way to get the job done, giving rise to punch-card based computers that took up entire rooms.
Today we carry more computing power on our smartphones than was available in these early models. ….computers have evolved from their humble beginnings to the machines of today that surf the Internet, play games and stream multimedia in addition to crunching numbers.”
Technology Today – While technology has its benefits, it has literally changed the way we think, live, communicate and organize our time. In regards to personal computing and cellphones, research shows technology has changed our culture. Along with exponential leaps in technology development in smartphones, tablets and the Internet, has come the social media craze fraught with positive, negative, and even unanticipated online behaviors.
Your Digital Reputation – Just a few years ago, not many were contemplating how to protect their digital reputation or understood the importance of establishing a positive digital footprint. Today, your digital reputation is defined by your behaviors in the online environment and by the content you post about yourself and others. Photos, text messages, video sharing, blog posts, and social networking interactions shape how you are perceived by others online and offline. In essence, your digital reputation, now and in the future, defines you!
Your Digital Footprint – Directly related to your digital reputation is your digital footprint. Your digital footprint is a trail of data you create while using the Internet. It can include the websites you visit, emails you send, online games you play, online videos you share and information you submit to various online services. Your digital footprint is permanent.
Just like your personal reputation that shows your overall quality or character as seen or judges by people in general, your digital reputation created by your online behavior, is equally important now and in the future. Vigilant management of both your personal and digital reputation is essential to protecting yourself against the overwhelming, fast-paced and often volatile world intent on changing or influencing your personal and digital reputation.
Reputation Management – Put into practice reputation management by asking yourself and your children these 10 questions about digital reputation and digital footprint:
- How has technology changed your life?
- Can you define digital reputation?
- Can you define digital footprint?
- Do you know the difference between a digital reputation and a digital footprint?
- Do you know the importance of a digital reputation?
- Do you know the importance of a digital footprint?
- Do you know how to reduce your actions online?
- What are digital rights and responsibilities?
- Do you know how to protect your digital reputation?
- How can your digital reputation influence college and work opportunities?
