Digital footprint. Two words when said separately makes sense. When put together, it may seem simple, however, the long-term implications can be frightening.
Let’s start with what is a digital footprint? Well, it may sound simple and self-explanatory, however, there is much more to it than meets the eye.
With the help from our friends at Wikipedia and ChatGPT, Miriam – Webster hasn’t caught up yet, here is my mash up as a simple explanation:
A digital footprint is the trail of data a person leaves behind while using the internet. This includes everything from social media posts, videos, comments, interactions, shares, and online searches to emails, website visits, and all interactions with smart devices. Wikipedia added. The term, “digital shadow “ which I really like as it hones in the fact that everything we do online is traceable.
Think about that, every keystroke, video watched, or communication done on the Internet or digital devices is traceable and trackable.

The amount of data being collected is unfathomable.
Try an experiment with your kids. Talk about some random item throughout the day with your phones nearby. Then hop on YouTube or Facebook, or open your email, magically there will be ads for those
very items you talked about. How did that happen? Yep, your digital, traceable footprint.
This foundational information is key for parents to understand the importance of managing our child’s digital footprint, especially when sharing pictures. This is a dialogue you want to engage in with your
children, early and often.

Why is this important?

Our digital footprint shapes our reputation, can influence others’ opinions and opportunities for our children (like college admissions or professional opportunities). It can greatly impact personal privacy
and security. All those times you’ve put your email address in a link to order something, that data is stored and sold. Go read the Terms and Conditions for a mobile app on your phone. Your head
will spin. We are essentially giving away our information to look at pictures and send messages.
All this data, every keystroke, video watched or picture shared, is stored indefinitely.
Are you beginning to see why managing and protecting your child’s digital footprint is essential for their safety and their future?
We as parents are responsible for our children and setting them up for a good life. One inappropriate picture or comment can impact a child’s future. With the advent of AI (Artificial Intelligence) the dangers are far greater than ever before. All predator’s need is one picture, and they can make videos or deep fake pictures of your children doing things they would never, ever do. Leaving them open for potential exploitation or scams.

So how do we combat this unseen force that can potentially harm our families?

Believe it or not, it’s pretty simple! Here are a few tips:

1. Teach Online Awareness
Talk with your kids about what a digital footprint is and why it’s important to manage what they say or share online. Have them pause and think before sharing anything online. A great question to ask is: If I look back at this moment 10 years from now, how will seeing that post
make me feel? A great resource is this article from HealthPoweredKids.org.

Online safety for kids: Your digital footprint and digital imprint

2. Limit Personal Information Sharing
Now that you understand why this is important; remind them to never share full names, their address, where they go to school or their birthday online. Make up nicknames for gaming platforms and social media vs using their real name. Keep all social media and gaming private and turn off location settings on all apps! (except for Life 360 and other family location apps)

3. Monitor & Guide Their Online Activity
Have digital safety and online footprint conversations often. Talk about experiences you’ve had. This gives permission to share without feeling like they’re being grilled. Discuss the importance of parental controls on their phones. Let them know you trust them; it’s the bad
actors out in the world are what you’re concerned about. Investigate and choose a support app together. Bark, Boomerang, and Family Time are great tools.

4. Manage Their Digital Presence
Here are a few things you can do; one may scare you a little; Google their name. See what shows up and remove anything inappropriate. A great tool to remove pictures is Take it Down https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/ . The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has created a website where kids can upload up to 10 pictures at a time, anonymously, and they will be taken down off the internet.

5. Secure Everyone’s Devices & Accounts
Passwords are one of the most important things you can manage and set a good example for your kids. Many sites now require multi-factor authentication. Consider changing your passwords to keep them up to date and make sure someone has the main password into phones and other electronic devices.

6. Be the Example
Set up regular no phone or games times for the family. Play board games, cook or go for a walk outside. Be mindful of what you post online, about yourself and them. As proud as you are of your kiddos, keep bragging for in person or in private family groups. Lastly, put all social media on private or friends only.

7. Keep the Conversation Going
Many things happen online, intentionally and unintentionally, which have unintended consequences. There are legal consequences to some of these seemingly innocent exchanges. Talk about ways to identify harmful posts or text and how to report them. (https://report.cybertip.org/)

It can seem like a lot of things to remember or do. The key is to have these conversations be light and engaging. While the implications can be scary, the conversation doesn’t have to be. You have this article to guide you. Take it at your pace. Start with simple things and as you begin to use digital devices, the conversation can become more robust, fun and empowering. Remember their future is literally in your hands. ❦

About the Author

Jan Edwards is the founder and President of Paving the Way
Foundation, an organization that empowers communities to be a
fierce disruption in the cycle of child exploitation around the globe.
This is accomplished through engaging educational programs to that
empowers youth to take bold new actions online and in person.
Paving the Way has delivered their programs to 37,000 youth and
adults in the past 8 years in Central Florida and around the nation.

Ms. Edwards has been featured on local and national television,
podcasts and radio shows, was chosen as one Orlando Family
Magazine SuperWomen of The Year and United Abolitionists Award
for NGO Leader of the Year for her organization’s work.
She is the writer and co-director of the award-winning film, Trapped
in the Trade, which was featured on CNN.

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