Digital Footprint Audit: What Does Your Online Self Say About You?

Instructions: Take some time to honestly reflect on your online presence. Answer the questions below. This is for your eyes only, unless you choose to share parts of it with a small group or the class.

Part 1: Your Online Presence

1. List all the social media platforms you actively use (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, X/Twitter, etc.).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What kind of content do you typically post or share on these platforms? Think about photos, videos, comments, and links.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. How often do you post or interact online?
   
   
   
   

4. Who can see your posts and profile information? (e.g., public, friends only, private groups)
   
   
   
   

5. Have you ever searched for yourself on Google or other search engines? If so, what did you find?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Reflection & Impact

1. Imagine a future employer or college admissions officer looking at your online profiles. What impression do you think they would get?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Are there any posts, photos, or comments that you have made in the past that you might regret if a future employer saw them? Describe them generally (no need for specific details).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What are some positive aspects of your digital footprint? What online content showcases your best qualities or achievements?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What changes, if any, could you make to improve your digital footprint and make it more professional or positive?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. How confident are you that your current online presence accurately reflects the person you want to be seen as in a professional setting? (Circle one)
   Very Confident | Somewhat Confident | Not Very Confident | Not Confident At All
   
   
   

Part 3: Action Plan

1. List 1-3 specific actions you can take this week to enhance your positive digital footprint or address any concerns you identified.

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2. What steps will you take to regularly monitor your digital footprint in the future?
   
   
   
   

Case Studies of Digital Disasters: Learning from Others' Mistakes

These real-life scenarios (or composites of real events) show how an unmanaged digital footprint can lead to unintended consequences.

Case Study 1: The Careless Comment

The Story: Sarah, a high school senior, was thrilled when she received an acceptance letter to her dream university. She had excellent grades, strong extracurriculars, and glowing recommendations. However, a few weeks later, she received a bewildering email: her acceptance was rescinded. Confused, Sarah reached out to the admissions office.

The Digital Disaster: It turned out that a few months prior, Sarah had engaged in a heated online debate on a political news article. In a moment of frustration, she posted several rude and disrespectful comments, using derogatory language towards others with differing opinions. Someone at the university admissions office, conducting a routine social media check, discovered these comments. Despite her otherwise stellar application, the university decided she didn't align with their values of respectful discourse and community.

The Lesson: Even seemingly private or anonymous comments can be traced back to you. Your online interactions reflect your character and can have serious consequences on your future opportunities, especially when applying to colleges or jobs.

Case Study 2: The Party Photo

The Story: Mark was a promising college athlete, hoping to get a scholarship to play at a Division I school. He was in regular contact with several college coaches and had even visited a few campuses. He thought his future in sports was set.

The Digital Disaster: One weekend, Mark attended a large party. A friend took a photo of him holding an open container (he was underage) and posted it on a public social media platform, tagging Mark. The photo quickly spread among their friends. Unfortunately, one of the college coaches saw the photo. Concerned about Mark's judgment and potential eligibility issues, the coach withdrew their scholarship offer. Mark lost his opportunity to play at his dream school due to a single, publicly shared image.

The Lesson: What your friends post about you can also become part of your digital footprint. Always be mindful of what others are sharing that involves you, and consider how even a fun moment could be misinterpreted or negatively impact your future.

Case Study 3: The Venting Employee

The Story: Emily had just started her first