Your Digital Footprint: What Does the Internet Say About You?

A Internet Footprint deep dive

👋Introduction

Every click, post, like, and share leaves a mark online — this is called your digital footprint. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to manage your digital presence, understand how your actions online affect your reputation, and make smart decisions for your future — whether it's college, jobs, or just being a good digital citizen.

📚What You'll Learn:

By the end of the lesson, you will:

Understand what a digital footprint is and how it's created
Recognize how your online actions affect your real-world reputation
Learn strategies to protect and improve your digital presence
Reflect on your own digital habits

📱Step One: Get Informed

A digital footprint is a trail of data you leave behind when you use the internet. This includes everything from the photo's you post and the comments you leave to the websites you vist and the things you search for. Your digital footprint can be active (things you choose to share) or passive (data collected without you doing anything , like location or browsing history).

Once something is online, it can be very difficult — or impossible — to fully delete. That means colleges, employers, teachers, and even strangers might find and judge you based on what you've posted. Even something you thought was private could be shared or screenshotted.

But here's the good news: you're in control of your digital footprint! by thinking before you post, protecting your privacy and staying positive online, you can create a reputation you'll be proud of!

✍️Now, in your notebook or a Google Doc, write down:

Two things that surprised you about digital footprints
One thing you've done online that adds to your digital footprint
One change you want to make after reading this

🤔Step Two: Reflection Journal

Once you've completed your simple reflection above, let's take it a step further and write a short reflection (1-2 paragraphs) answering :

"If a college or employer Googled me today, what would they find? Would I be proud of what? Why or why not?"

Name your file: DigitalFootprint_YourName

Upload it to Schoology under: "Digital Footprint Reflection"

👥Step Three: Create Something That Teaches Others

Your Task: Create a digital flyer, infographic, or short video titled: "Protect Your Digital Reputation: 5 Smart Tips"

Choose one of these tools:

Canva (Infographic/Flyer)
Google Slides (Flyer or visual tips)
Flip or WeVideo (Short video)

Your project must include:

A title
At least 5 tips for managing your online reputation
Eye-catching visuals (icons, colors, images)
A call-to-action (What should others DO after seeing this?)

✅Step Four: Submit Your Project

Turn in your to the assignment titled "Digital Reputation Tips" Make sure your name is included in the file title.

💥How You'll be Graded

Rubric:

Criteria Points

Reflection shows insight and thought 10

Project includes 5 clear tips 10

Creative use of visuals and formatting 10

Message is clear, relevant, and well-written 10

Turned in on time 5

Total 45

🔆Wrap-Up

Great work! You've just taken a huge step toward becoming a more insertional, responsible digital citizen.

Remember:

The internet is permanent — think before you post
Employers and colleges are looking — build a reputation you're proud of
You're in control of your digital narrative

Challenge: Search your name online. What do you find? What can you change or improve?