This week, I have been thinking a lot about what we leave behind– not just in real life, but online. In class, we talked a lot about cyber-vigilantism, and digital footprint. At first, I didn’t think I had much to do with these topics personally. However, as we learned more throughout discussions, I realized that each of us carries an invisible trail– one we create every time click, post, and share.

What We Leave Behind

As we discussed in class discussions our digital footprints are more permanent than we think. Screenshots don’t just disappear, and comments made when we were younger and more naive stay lingering throughout the internet for years. It’s a strange thought that even after we’ve changed, grown, or learned better, something we said years ago might still define us in the eyes of others. I noticed photos I have had years ago I have deleted have been saved on my Google Photos. When I noticed this, I was honestly concerned not only the internet holding so many past information, but our Phones hold more than we want to believe to, in which the Government holds more than we want to believe.

In one class discussion this week in breakout rooms we discussed what our personal digital footprint looks like. What show’s up when we google ourselves. I heard many stories from my peers of material on the internet that they didn’t even know existed or was up on the internet made from their friends they didn’t agree to. Luckily, I didn’t have this experience. When I googled myself material that came up was only my edusites. There was no images of me what so ever.  My breakout room and I discussed that possibly since most of our digital apps, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok, nothing will show up because they are private accounts. On the other hand, people who have the same names as me were also showing up. Luckily for me they were all positive and save images. I am grateful for this image as I would not want future students to search me and see negative or inappropriate material.

Cyber-Shaming 

Another topic we discussed this week was Cyber-vigilantism. I don’t think people realize this happens more than we think. Individuals all over the interest who try to take justice into their own hands–sharing personal information, attacking people online, or this generations “canceling” publicly. Sometimes, we see people who really do come from a place of justice. Back in the summer of 2021, a young woman named Gabby Petito went missing during a road trip with her fiance, Brain Laundrie. After she stopped posting online and communicating with her family, thousands of people on social media, particularly Tiktok, became very involved in trying to help find her and solve her case. Many became “cyber-vigilantes,” looking through her photos, videos, and online clues to find answers. Some even searched her travel route on Google Maps and shared theories. While the attention helped bring awareness and eventually led to finding her body, it also caused harm spreading false information and targeting innocent people.

We also see a side found very often on Tiktok too of individuals who made a video in the past and people on the internet finding it and causing harm to their entire life, including leaving them with nothing left, not even a job.

There’s a fine line between accountability and cyber-shaming. People should be held responsible for harmful things they do or say– but they should also have room to learn and change. One mistake shouldn’t erase someone’s humanity.

What it Means for Me

This reflection has made me think more carefully about what I post and why I post it. It’s easy to click “post” without thinking, without understanding what it can do to our future. As I further format my digital footprint, I want to ask myself now: Will this hurt someone? Will this follow me later? Am I helping or just joining a pile-on?

As I go further in my digital footprint I want to use some tools to help guide me on the correct path for my future. I encourage you to check these out for yourself and think to yourself how you could guide your future path:

  • Google Yourself – Search your name and even where you are from. See what comes up. Is it who you want to be?
  • Jumbo Privacy App – This app helped manage and clean up your digital footprint across different platforms
  • Wayback Machine – This lets you see how digital content sicks around (even after it’s deleted).
Final Thoughts

We’re all growing up online. Especially children who are growing up currently. Mistakes are going to happen. But, we can be more intentional about how we move through digital spaces– more kind, more cautious, more thoughtful. Out digital footprints are powerful.