CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF LEARNING 1

Is it possible to control your digital reach? How can social media tools facilitate your efforts in managing your digital footprint?

I believe everyone is able to control their digital reach, however it is quite difficult to do so nowadays, with everyone and everything being online. However, social media tools can help users manage their digital footprints, for example privacy settings. On most sites, users have the option to make their profiles and information public or private. This ensures that the general public of users cannot access your information. There is also a website called “Lifehacker.com” that has a section called “Always Up-to-Date Guide to Managing Your Facebook Privacy,” which helps users stay in touch with their digital footprint (Boyle, 2020). This module has taught me to think before I post anything online. Social media tools as simple as being able to delete something, can help your footprint however according to Hengstler, ‘There are no “take backs” in Social Networking’ (Hengstler, 2011). This can cause people to not miss job opportunities due to their history online such as some bad photos on their social media profiles. However, on Facebook for example, you can delete your media so that the general public or your employers cannot access them. They are still out there somewhere, however the delete tool is a temporary fix. 

Summary

This badge helped me understand, on a deeper level, the effects my digital footprint can have on my future. I learned that once something is posted it cannot be taken back. This badge has made me realise that children in schools are not taught enough about the online world and how to manage their digital footprint. I also enjoyed hearing a few of my fellow classmates’ opinions on this badge and topic as it is one that relates to all of us on a deep level. 

Bibliography

Boyle, J. (2020). 12 Tips For Students To Manage Their Digital Footprints. Retrieved 3 April 2020, from https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/11-tips-for-students-tomanage-their-digital-footprints/

Hengstler, J. (2011). http://education.viu.ca/sites/default/files/education-for-digital-world-2.0-1-jhengstler-89.pdf. Retrieved 3 April 2020, from http://education.viu.ca/sites/default/files/education-for-digital-world-2.0-1-jhengstler-89.pdf