Educating students about their digital footprint is crucial. When younger generations receive devices, the necessary discussions about their proper use are often overlooked. Children live in the present and may not consider the future implications of their actions. However, what they do now can impact their future, a fact often ignored when impulsively sharing photos or videos online. The immediate attention these posts give can be addictive, leading to a cycle where the thrill of posting “the next big thing” overshadows the consideration of how these posts might affect their future.

A good example of this is when Nathan Thoen was in the running to get the job for the position of Saskatchewanderer, until someone dug up a video from his past. This video was of him swearing at a Riders football game. After this went public, he was disqualified from being in the positon of having the summer job of the saskatchewander. Even though this video was made when he was minor (under 18) it had impacted his ability to gain employment as an adult. You can read more about what he had to say about his online footprint here P.A. wanderer disqualified from competition | paNOW.

Nathan Thoen’s experience serves as a reminder of how seemingly innocent photos and videos can impact our future selves. It raises the question of whether we should be forgiving of minors’ digital footprints. I believe everyone deserves a chance to address their past actions. If individuals are denied future opportunities based on past decisions, then we will never be able to foster spaces and places for growth and change. Yet, this presents its own challenges. Should students believe that their current actions will be forgiven, they might not take their online presence seriously, potentially resulting in an overabundance of problematic digital footprints. Hence, by highlighting the importance of our online posts, we may encourage students to be more considerate and careful about their digital footprint, potentially reducing the number of uncomfortable conversations needed to explain past actions.

Understanding one’s digital footprint is beneficial not just for younger students, but for anyone who uses a device. It’s important at any age to be aware of the potential consequences of one’s online posts and shares. The video below addresses the subject of educating students on their digital footprint and digital citizenship. It serves as an excellent resource on important matters concerning proper digital use and presence.