My journey
My online presence dates to the early 2000s. I still remember being five years old, playing games on nick.com, specifically the Wubbzy’s Amazing Adventure (If you know you know). My parents gave me my first phone in 5th grade, and soon after I created my first social media account. Now that I am an adult and realize the implications and dangers of privacy on the web, I cannot help but question: What does a ten-year-old know about internet safety? The answer to this question is obvious: slim to none. However, you can ask these same questions to many adults living in the 21 century chances are the answer may remain the same.
Digital Safety
We now live in a generation where one’s digital footprint and privacy has been overlooked and unprotected. Many live by the notion of “If you didn’t take pictures, did it even happen?” After reading the works of Lindsey C. Kim Understanding and Maintaining your privacy When Writing with Digital Technologies she highlights the importance of privacy in digital environments. Similarly, Martha Fay Burtis stresses in her article Messy and Chaotic Learning the importance of teaching the younger generation how to utilize digital environments wisely. Burtis explains in her article that she would rather have difficult conversation with students about racist, biased comments now rather than down the line when they are out in the “real world.”
Moving forward
The fact of the matter is no one’s online presence is flawless. However, there are several strategies and techniques available to help keep certain things we do online personal and private. As a future educator this is crucial because as a soon-to-be professional one must maintain a degree of professionalism not only in the classroom but outside as well.
Having an online space where you can curate, design and express yourself freely is a beautiful outlet. However, understanding the ins and outs of digital privacy and agency on the web can allow for a safer environment for you and others!
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