When I think of footprints, I always think of the story about a man who had many problems throughout life and when he reflected, he realized that there was more than one set of footprints which indicated that Jesus was walking with him at certain times. During his saddest and most troublesome times, there was only one set of footprints because during these times, Jesus carried him (Shirilla, 2021).
Digital footprints are not necessarily inspirational like the story; nevertheless, they should most certainly inspire us to consider or think twice about what we are putting on the internet. As I considered my students during this week's readings, I realized that there are no real solutions. However, we can educate our students to think before posting.
In the article, The Future of the Internet and How to Stop It, the author states that today's internet is a blend of personal and impersonal information (Zittrain, 2008). When I was a child, I was taught to keep my personal business private, and I still hold onto that advice. However, children and even adults seem to have blurred the lines between what’s personal and what’s impersonal. Everything seems to be okay because we’re only being transparent. The problem with this approach is that we don’t know who is peeking into our world. We do not know their motives or intentions and that is what makes putting our personal business on various platforms, all the more dangerous. The question should be, “Would you live in a glass house? Why or why not?”
Students are consumers of digital media (Edutopia, 2013) and treat information they see and received as well as their devices as such. Teaching them to be producers is the best way to mitigate potential issues. Technology will be around forever. We must learn how to use if effectively as we as being responsible digital citizens.
As discussed in the article, The Case for Teaching Digital Citizenship, youth today are growing up with technology as ever-present facet of their lives (Shapiro, 2014). The exposure is having a major impact of students and teachers, alike. While it’s great to have information at our fingertip, literally; it is also important to recognize the fact that these small devices have taken over our lives and have greatly affected our learning, relations as well as our mental health.
Honestly, I’ve never really thought about it as a digital footprint/tattoo. However, I regularly check to see what comes up with my name and do all I can to maintain a strict level of privacy. In reading this week’s resources and watching the videos, I honestly can say that we must definitely teach our students to protect their digital footprint. The problem I’ve encountered is that most of my students do not think beyond the present time and if they do, they can always relate to someone who’s “done it” and say that that particular person is okay and so will they.
With more and more teachers incorporating ePortfolios into their curriculum, I’m torn regarding whether or not I want my students to have one. Our district allows us to use Bulb which will allow me to keep their information contained within our district. My concern is planting the seed and then students deciding upon themselves to create their own outside of school. There is so much information they are willing to post just so they can be affirmed through likes and views.
Overall, our digital footprint is definitely something we need to be cognizant about as we navigate through the digital world. If keep locks on our doors to keep others from coming into our personal space unless invited, then we most definitely need to be aware of how many breadcrumbs we leave to invite others into our lives online.
Resources
Shapiro, D. E. (2014, January 23). The case for Teaching Digital Citizenship. The Jewish Press JewishPresscom. Retrieved November 23, 2021, from https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/the-case-for-teaching-digital-citizenship/2014/01/23/.
Shirilla, B. (2021, August 7). Footprints in the Sand (poem, images, PDF, tattoos). The Art Of Condolence. Retrieved November 23, 2021, from https://condolencemessages.com/footprints-in-the-sand/.
Edutopia. (2013, February 6). Nichole Pinkard on Digital Literacy (big thinkers series). YouTube. Retrieved November 23, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aya43MnWTxQ.
Jonathan L. Zittrain, The Future of the Internet -- And How to Stop It (Yale University Press & Penguin UK 2008).
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