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Inference- an educated guess based on evidence

Fossil- Parts of an animal saved and preserved within the Earth for up to millions of years

Digital- Having to due with electronic technology that generates, stores, and processes data, which is represented in a series of zeros and ones, called Binary Code

Digital World- The availability and use of digital tools to communicate, interact, and share with others on the internet, using digital devices, smart devices, or other technologies

Can you list all of the ways that you participate in the digital world?

Some Responses might include the following:

Play Games Online
Use Search Engines
Send Text Messages
Post Comments
Share photos/videos online

Send Email
Create Digital Art
Code/Computer Program
Use online creation/office tools like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets

Digital Footprint- A record of what you do online, including the sites you visit and the things you post. It can also include things that others post that involve you, such as pictures or comments

How is a Digital Footprint similar to a fossil?

Digital Footprints are made up of a person's online activity. These activities include anything within the digital world such as using search engines and web browsers, having email accounts, using instant text messaging tools on a mobile device, using social media, participating in online chat rooms and forums, using video / photo sharing websites and applications, using online creation/office tools, and online gaming.

A Digital Footprint tells quite a bit about a person and lasts forever. All online activities are traceable and cannot be removed. Fossils are very similar because they tell a lot about a living organism and can last forever.

Are you always able to control what online activities will be included in your own digital footprint?

What kind of online activity are you NOT always able to control as part of your digital footprint?

Since others can post, email, text, comment, create, and share online as well, they are able to include information online about you. Some examples of online content that you CANNOT control include things that you do not do yourself online. Here are a few examples:

Your picture or image included in a video that a family member or friend shares online
Your name shared online within a game's leader board
A comment that a friend, family member, or even a stranger shares about your image or video post.
Your picture on a public organization's website

Responsibility- A duty you have to yourself or others

Since what you do online could not only affect your digital footprint, but that of others as well, you need to be very responsible online. Responsible online behavior helps you to create a positive digital footprint because what you post/share about others is a direct reflection of who you are and is just as important as what you share about yourself.

Examples of Online Responsibilities:

Yourself:

Show your best self when you're online
Only post things you're comfortable showing publicly

Others:

Get permission before posting a pic of someone or tagging them
Treat others online how you would want to be treated

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