EDUC300 Module 1 Synthesis
By Ilicia Kelly
This week
we discussed digital footprints. Christina Boxler had a great search and found
many positive things about herself. Adrienne Poucher remarked that she had a
small footprint. I had a pretty pathetic digital footprint as well! I thought
there may be more, but just some websites that had borrowed my name and
pictures from facebook to pretend that I used those said websites for social or
professional networking. I looked into purchasing a domain name on godaddy.com
but it's quite expensive just to keep a domain name running. If I owned my own
business, it would be totally worth it, but I couldn't justify spending money
to look good to those who google my name! Maybe when I get my bachelor's and
apply for a job at a college, I'll spring for the domain name.
According to an article on netlingo.com,
"it is now widely accepted that
in this era of e-mail, texting, blogging, and social networking, trying to hide
one's digital footprint is practically futile. In fact, it's been reported that
the FBI can hear your conversation via your cell phone even when it is turned
off (the only thing to thwart this is take out the battery). Unlike paper
trails, which can ultimately be destroyed or eliminated, "digital paper
trails" are recorded and stored at remote locations that you may not even
be aware of, and to that degree, there is nothing you can do to erase these
records. An example is when Google's search results were subpoenad as evidence
in court to help convict a man of murder because they revealed his past
Internet searches, which included information on the murder weapon and learning
how to murder someone in exactly the same manner as his wife was killed."
This is great news for detectives in finding murderers and killers, but scary
for a teen who texted a lewd picture of herself to a boy and then found it
plastered all over numerous websites, unable to remove it.
I googled
my name and disturbingly found a website named www.intelius.com which listed my
name and maiden name, age, relatives, zodiac sign (gasp!), and town that I live
in!! I found my name and a picture in a website named www.mylife.com which I've
never heard of with my information on it, my name on a webpage named stik.com
with my cell phone number on it and previous addresses, and my reunion website
info. I am aware of my facebook account and the information I put on there is
acceptable for all to see, especially since I am "friends" with my
employers so I know they will view my information.
What I
didn't find was any positive information on me. I've been in the paper for my
deployment to Iraq
in the Poughkeepsie Journal back in 2004, but that's not listed. I'm not a
published author, so I didn't expect to see my novel, but I thought something
positive would be there. Guess I need to put myself out into the world more. I
can delete my facebook account to eliminate my pictures and information being
stolen, but the damage is already done so what's the point? I don't have any
bad or illicit pictures on my page, so at least they aren't embarrassing. I
could start some more positive pages that were discussed on nameplate or
linkedin. In the reading, 5 Reasons Your Online Presence Will Replace Your
Resume, only 23% of people got jobs through ads. This is sad!! I need to up my
online professional networking.
In the
reading, How To Clean Up Your Online Presence, I need to delete all unwanted
information and promote myself positively through new avenues. I plan to do
that tonight! I will start a LinkedIn account to present a more professional
avenue of expression and network.
According to a website Cybersmart.gov,
"everything you post online combines to make your digital footprint.
Remember that what you share with your friends may also be viewed by people you
don't know. And once it's online, it could be there forever. So think before
you post." My facebook account has pictures that these other websites are
fishing and stealing and reposting my info on there for their own
advertisments! In the reading, How To Clean Up Your Online Presence, I need to
delete all unwanted information and promote myself positively through new
avenues.
What this means for professionals is to
treat the internet like a pen with no eraser. There is actually a website
called iKeepSafe.org
which focuses on helping adults manage their digital footprint and apps and
tools to help with their children's digital footprint for college, jobs, and
life in general. On the website iKeepSafe, "Through this network of
support, iKeepSafe tracks global trends and issues surrounding digitally
connected products and their affect on children. This research drives the
continuous creation of positive resources for parents, educators and
policymakers who teach youths how to use new media devices and platforms in
safe and healthy ways." It's a wonderful tool and great news for
educators, parents, and children.
Self Assessment- 90 pts- I took off 10 pts because I forgot
to publish it within the time frame outlined in the syllabus.
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