Your Digital Footprint

Many older adults, especially seniors, grew up valuing their reputation and living by "The Golden Rule." They may have also grown up during a time when communication was limited to a letter, a phone call, or a face-to-face meeting or visit. Things were said out loud or written on paper. They were usually only seen or heard by the person they were addressed to. No one knew what you had for dinner, saw your vacation pictures, or knew your opinions were on a variety of subjects. Many people now learn about each other through social media. Everything that you post online becomes part of your digital footprint.

When you walk on a beach, you leave footprints behind in the sand. That's a good metaphor for posting information on the Internet. Instead of footprints in the sand, it's a trail of everything you do online. It's called a "digital footprint."

What's in that footprint? It includes things like the photos you post, the comments you make, the sites you visit, the items you purchase, and even the videos you watch. What you post can tell people a lot about you. It can tell them where you've been and what you've been doing, just like footprints on the beach. Footprints on the beach get washed away. You digital footprint sticks around--forever.