OVERVIEW

It is important for educators to teach students what their digital footprint is, how it is created, and and why it is important to be cautious about digital footprints that are created.

Students sometimes lack the foresight to understand that their work, and behavior online or otherwise can have a long-term impact on their future or reputation. Many students are not concerned with the fact that digital footprints are used for "commercial purposes to track, customize, market to them". Global educators must ensure that students understand this. According to the Internet Society, there are essentially four reasons that everyone should be concerned about their digital footprints. They are:

1. Protecting your privacy

2. Maintaining your ability to decide where and how your personal information is shared

3. Preventing financial loss

4. Preserving your Freedom

It is important for all computer users to understand that whatever they do in cyberspace leaves a trail, or "footprints" on online. These footprints are analogous to the footprints that an animal leaves in a snow.

The topic of Digital Footprints was an a component of digital literacy that could not and should not be ignored. Our goal is for teachers to empower their students with the necessary information that they need to make sound decisions about the digital footprints that they create online. Students need to understand that digital footprints have both benefits and costs.

We hope that this website teaches teachers, students, and parents alike how to be responsible about the digital footprints, or at the very least understand how and why digital footprints can impact online users socially and even economically.