Online Footprint

Image Taken from Families First Law Firm

This week's lesson has been eye-opening. In today's world, it can be easy to forget about our online footprint, and the effects it can have on our image and future employment. I currently have accounts on Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Each one of my platforms serves a different purpose. For example, I utilize Facebook to stay in touch with my family, whereas I use Instagram to keep up with my friends. While I do my best to ensure that I am only posting appropriate content, my biggest concern is what other people may tag me in. 

It can be difficult to catch everything your friends post especially when they post a story that is only visible for twenty-four hours. I believe that we should all be more cognizant of the content we post of other people. We may not know, for example, that they are currently in the hiring process for a job. If we all look out for one another, hopefully, we can ensure that not only ourselves but also those we are closest to have appropriate online footprints. I think the article "I’m 14, and I quit social media after discovering what was posted about me" is a great example of why it is necessary to ask for consent before posting a picture of someone else. You do not always know how a friend may feel about a particular picture, or if they would even want it posted.

I also need to be more mindful of how much personal information I am providing on my social media profiles. I know that many can gather I am a college student at High Point University. It is not only evident based on the location of my posts, but it also is included in my bio on Instagram. Additionally, viewers easily discover where I call home because I have several posts that are located in my hometown, even giving specifics of events that I have attended.  

Is this information I want people to know about me? I assume only my friends and family are viewing me on social media platforms, but that is far from the truth.  The reality of the internet and social media is that any person could find this personal information. Sad to admit, but our parents are often right on so many levels.  I can hear my Dad in my head saying "Do not post anything while we are on vacation...we don't want to go home and find someone has broken into our home because they realized we were on vacation because you posted something on your phone!"

For my generation, we are an immediate, conversational, in-the-moment, need to share group of people.  It may be difficult, but we need to hit the 'pause' button and think about what we truly want to share, not just with our friends and family, but ultimately those beyond our familiar circle.  The world has access to more than we know.