SOLUTIONS & SAFETY

Chapter 4c

The best way to protect students is by spreading awareness of the issues accompanying digital text technologies and internet usage.  Teachers should strive to start with children at an early age and educate parents in order to develop a collective understanding within the community. We recommend the following topics be addressed:

 

1) Digital Footprint Management

Internet users leave behind digital footprints through their online activity. Whenever one visits a website, clicks a link or advertisement, makes an online purchase, or even a Google search, that information is instantly recorded. This traceable data is saved into each person’s online portfolio constituting their online identity and is tied to their computer IP address.







 

 

Users must also be aware of the permanence and access of any information they post or provide online. When filling out personal information to sign up for a website, that information is recorded into that company’s data archive, and is sometimes, unbeknownst to the user, sold to subsidiary companies for profit. Likewise, when users post comments on blogs, social media, or YouTube videos, those comments become globally accessible for all to see. Students, and adults, should also be aware of the dangers and implications of posting personal and compromising pictures or videos online, as it is very easy for friends and strangers to share and spread anything once posted. Cyberbullying occurs when individuals exploit another person’s digital footprint by stalking their activity and using it against them. This occurred with the case of Amanda Todd, a teenager who was convinced by a stranger to bare her chest on camera. The stranger saved the video of her and later used it to blackmail her, spreading it to her classmates.  

 

Lastly, students should try to make conscious and informed decisions, particularly when surfing the internet. When students explore links and websites indiscriminately, they run the risk of accessing inappropriate websites with violent and or pornographic material. Similar to making an online purchase on Amazon, and then having similar items populated and recommended to you, “inspired by your shopping trends”, accidentally clicking and inappropriate website link may result in similar websites being advertised or recommended for your viewing.

For information about different types of digital footprints, click here.
 

2) Data Privacy

Teachers can also teach strategies for privatizing data. One way is to use advertisement blockers on websites and to increase security on one’s internet browser. One can also turn off prediction services on search engines, which analyze your searches and digital footprint to complete your searches and URLs in the address bar. Additionally, when filling out online forms, one should not put unnecessary information that is likely to be stored and used for other purposes. There are many ways in which one can limit their digital footprint, but above all, it is important to make students aware that they have a choice in the matter.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Online Identity & Digital Citizenship

After addressing all the issues and concerns regarding online privacy and internet safety, it is important to also speak to how we can use digital footprints in a positive manner. Buchanan et al. say that “[a] positive digital footprint can be understood as a ‘personal brand’ that allows others to see your interests, achievements, and skills” (2017, p. 285). This refers to digital citizenship, where users should strive to act in ways such as they would in real life, contributing to society in positive ways, rather than engaging in perverse, hateful, or bullying online behaviour. Rather than resisting and fearing technology, teachers and adults should embrace the change and attempt to harness the advantages of technology – first by helping youth develop the skills and perspective to productively navigate the complications (Boyd & Hargittai, 2014, p. 213, as cited in Buchanan et al., 2017, p. 285). “Digital footprint education could help young people develop a strong, positive online presence. Such a presence can showcase the skills and achievements of an individual and signal engagement with and proficiency of internet technologies, a current mandated educational outcome and a desirable attribute for the 21st century” (Van Ouytsel, Walrave, Ponnet, 2014 as cited in Buchanan et al., 2017, p. 286).
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on addressing issues of cyber safety with students and kids, see this website:
https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/cyber-safety/