What is it?
Any action you take or trail of breadcrumbs left on the internet is considered a part of your digital footprint (Thatcher, 2014). This means that any content published at one point or another can be tied back to you even if you delete it.
Pros and Cons?
We’re entering a world where “A lack of digital footprint can be as damaging as one badly managed” (Buchanan et al., 2017). Employers can use it to decide whether you’re a good fit for their company. One of the cons of that, however, is if you haven’t been managing your digital footprint well. If all they can find of you on the internet is your Facebook account filled with partying they may be less inclined to hire (Benson and Filippaios, 2010). However, if they can see an identity that they like through your digital footprint, it may get you hired.
Mine. What is it? What does it matter?
My digital footprint used to be far more limited, but recently I have become more active as I started my sewing journey and then entered this program. My Instagram used to focus on my identity as a performing artist, but as my life changed, it shifted to a portfolio of my sewing projects instead. If one scrolls back far enough, however, you will find pictures of me in costume from various shows I’ve been in. During my high school life, there was strong emphasis placed on avoiding the internet, and due to my natural introverted nature at that time (yes, I’m actually an extroverted introvert now) the idea of sharing something of myself where anyone could see it online was horror-inspiring. I didn’t get Facebook until the end of high school, and I didn’t get Instagram until AFTER I had a professional website to show my face and resume (as a singer) and my recordings. In my undergrad and graduate studies it was highly encouraged for students to procure or make a website for themselves to make them look more professional and have a presence on the internet. When I was working as a private voice teacher, it served as a way for parents to contact me and to see that they weren’t sending their student to some random person. It was my EVIDENCE. It was my digital business card. It demonstrates the skill I possess as a singer.
Ultimately, a digital footprint serves many purposes, such as identity, portfolio, and evidence of skill.
References
Benson, V, Filippaios, F (2010). Effects of digital footprint on career management: Evidence from social media in business education. In: Lytras, MD, Ordonez De Pablos, P, Ziderman, A. (eds) Knowledge Management, Information Systems, E-Learning, and Sustainability Research. Berlin: Springer, pp.480–486.
Buchanan, R., Southgate, E., Smith, S.P., Murray, T., & Noble, B. (2017). E-Learning and Digital Media, Post no photos, leave no trace: Children’s digital footprint management strategies. 14(5) 275-290. DOI: 10.1177/2042753017751711
Thatcher, J (2014). Living on fumes: Digital footprints, data fumes, and the limitations of spatial big data. International Journal of Communication 8: 1765–1783.
2021-01-27 at 5:54 pm
Hi Morgan,
I found your piece on digital footprints really interesting and insightful. The idea that not having a digital footprint could be damaging was a defiantly a new one on me. It really struck me that in today’s world, many things are internet-based, meaning that a lack of a digital footprint could be a red flag for an employer given the fact that many jobs entail internet involvement to a large degree. It seems to me that as our society moves away from its more traditional system of interaction (aka fax machines, landlines, and in-person shopping) internet presence is going to be an increasingly important part of people’s lives. Of course, the problem remains that things posted on the net last forever, however, I do hope that in the future we can find a way to address this problem.
If I were to have one wish it would be that you included a picture in your post. Otherwise, you hit all the marks in my eyes!
Thanks for the post and keep the good stuff coming!