What is a Digital Footprint?

- [Instructor] If you use the internet,

you should be aware of
your digital footprint.

Just like physical footprints,

that show someone's steps on a dirt path,

your digital footprint

is a history of all the
activity you do online.

Any social media posts you make,

any websites you visit,

and any information you share online

contributes to your digital footprint.

Once you post something
online, it can't be erased,

so your digital footprint
can last forever.

This can be a good thing

if your digital footprint includes things

that give you a positive
reputation online.

This can help you build
your personal brand.

Your online history

can also help the apps you
use know more about you.

They can use this information
to serve you better

by adjusting to the things you
like and your daily habits,

but they can also use this
information in the wrong way

and share it with others.

Keep the following tips
in mind when you go online

to manage your digital footprint.

Tip number one: Know what
your footprint says about you.

Other people use your digital footprint

to make judgements about you online.

This can include employers
when you apply for a job,

or recruiters when you
apply for academic programs.

It's important to know

what your digital footprint says about you

and how your information is being used.

To see what your personal brand is online,

you can search for yourself.

Search for your name in
the Bing search engine

and see what results are displayed.

If these results don't show what you want,

think about what you share online

and what information you
allow other people to see.

Tip number two: Manage
your privacy settings.

You can modify the privacy settings

of most of the social media sites

and online applications that you use.

This can help you control
who sees what you share

and what information shows up

when someone searches for you online.

Tip number three: Manage your cookies.

Cookies are notes given
to your web browser

as you browse the web.

These cookies help apps track
information that they need

while you're using the app.

This can help the app work better for you,

but this data also contributes
to your digital footprint.

You can use the settings in your browser

to limit or block the use of
cookies on certain websites.

Tip number four: Think before you share.

Once you share something
online, you can't take it back.

Make sure you're okay

with something being a part of
your public digital footprint

before you share it.

Your digital footprint can live forever.

Keep these tips in mind

to make sure you are happy
with your digital footprint

and how it is used.