Digital Footprint - How Much is Too Much?

As a teacher, we have the responsibility to teach our students how to utilize technology in an effective and responsible manner- which includes social media. Students need to learn about privacy on the internet, and how to create a safe digital footprint. With the mass production of new technologies and software programs, students are bombarded with new activities and ideas online and it is our role to help them learn how to utilize these tools in a safe and productive manner. My students are often using “Snapchat” and “Instagram” but I can guarantee that many of them have not actually looked into what happens to these pictures once they are posted, or who truly owns their rights. As their teacher, I feel that it is my duty to set an example of what positive citizenship looks like. In the OCT advisory for the use of electronic communication, they specifically note that “members should maintain a sense of professionalism at all times- in their personal and professional lives” and that “teacher’s off-duty conduct, even when not directly related to students, is relevant to their suitability to teach." Thus, as an educator, I feel it is my job to model what a positive digital footprint looks like. This includes keeping all of my postings and blogs professional, and not posting anything that I wouldn’t be comfortable sharing in front of my students. I believe that teachers should also ensure that they are aware of the privacy settings for all programs which they use, so that they are aware of what information is truly public, and what is able to be shared amongst approved friends or family. As reaffirmed by Chantelle Bradley-Davies in her Edublog “A Learning Life for Me”, “even things shared through mediums like Facebook should never be something you would be embarrassed of if your students saw. There is no guaranteed privacy and we can be leaders in reminding our students of that." In order to keep a professional digital footprint, I think it is important for teachers to explain to their students about the importance of protecting their digital identity and how their identity can influence their futures, and setting a positive example themselves is just the beginning. I believe that teachers should ensure that all communication with students and parents is conducted using appropriate channels, and that students should be made aware of the reasons for this. The OCT advisory confirms that “even the most innocent actions can be easily misconstrued or manipulated. The immediacy and simplicity of a text message, for example, may lead to longer, informal conversations. Rules may relax and informal salutations may replace time-respected forms of professional address." As such, teachers should model what appropriate uses of technology and social media looks like- by keeping their digital footprint professional and utilizing social media in an appropriate manner both in the workplace and at home. I feel that Ms. Bradley-Davies sums it up well when she writes “there is no guaranteed privacy and we can be leaders in reminding our students of that."