Instructify

BY KEVIN HODGSON

We all leave behind a trail of digital footprints when we use technology, whether it is from searching with Google, adding a comment to a blog post, or logging into a social network. While most adults might be cognizant that, given the archiving abilities of the internet, our trail will never really go cold, it is doubtful that many young people realize this. Sites like MyFootprints are designed to fill that gap by giving students the tools and experience to understand that what they are doing today with technology might have ramifications for tomorrow.

MyFootprints is pretty basic, but it has the potential to open up discussions between teachers (or parents) and young people. The site features videos from high school and middle school students who talk about digital identity in an engaging way, and it also has a page of activities that are appropriate for elementary school students by using puppets for characters.

I liked that the site pushes for privacy, noting that everyone should keep a “top secret folder” with information they should not give out to anyone. The list of nine items in the top secret folder are:

1. your full name
2. your photograph
3. your address or location
4. your school
5. your phone number
6. your email address
7. passwords
8. where your parents work
9. your mom’s name before she married your dad

The site also urges teachers to work with students on designing a handbook for protecting your footprints online. Topics include purchasing items at e-commerce sites, appropriate online conduct, security issues, and more.

All in all, MyFootprints is a good place to start when it comes to discussing digital identities and the trail we all leave behind us as we develop an online presence.

MyFootprints

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