Your digital footprint impacts everything in your life. It impacts how people will get their first impression of you, how your boss and co-workers see you outside the working environment, how your friends see who you interact with and what type of person you are, and much more. Currently, I don't have much of a digital footprint at all. When I searched myself on Google, I was unable to find any article websites or social networking websites that I am apart of. However, I know that I will ensure that my footprint is something that I will be proud of and will show others who I am. In the new age of networking, our digital footprints determine what we leave for the rest of the world; it's one thing that can never be taken away or erased. I want my footprint to express who I am as a person and all my goals and accomplishments, not mistakes I will forever regret.
I want to make sure when I leave this Earth that I left something for it. I want to be known as a leader and not a follower. I want to be known as a person with great strength, individuality, and contribution to society. When people think about me, I want them to think about someone special. I want to be known as a person who was able to become successful despite all obstacles and challenges. I want to be known as a leader for the future.
Your digital footprint can aid you in many ways your never thought possible. Seen in the articles "College prospects are being watched on Facebook and Twitter" and "37 Percent Of Employers Use Facebook To Pre-Screen Applicants, New Study Says", we can see that not only family members and friends view your social networking profiles. In both articles it explains that people are being judged and researched online by other people, in this case being employers and college administrators. Based on your actions online, these people will be able to see your character and behavior online, allowing them to see what kind of person you are. This greatly increases your opportunities if you are a person who is highly remarkable in your accomplishments and if you behave appropriately online; however, this can be disadvantageous if you act otherwise. In the story of Justine Sacco, a woman PR reporter sent out a very offensive tweet that eventually cost her a lot including her job and reputation. This situation is also similar among many athletes, high-school athletes in particular; we gather evidence of this also from the college prospect article. Overall, it is important to be careful what you say online. Anything you send out to the online world can never be taken back and it could end up affecting many situations in your life.