When I search my name on Google.com many sites show that have nothing to do with me. Many phone and address websites come up but they are not pertaining to me. There is only one website that is linked to my twitter account. My digital footprint doesn't say much about me. I do have a Facebook and Instagram but this does not show up when you search for me in a search engine. This comes as a shock to me because I've used my twitter twice and I constantly get on my Facebook to talk to family and friends.
I want to be known as an intelligent, unique person by anyone who decides to look me up. I would like my digital footprint to show all of my achievements that I've made in life. I would like for colleges to actually want me to go to their school and I want to be somebody that my parents are proud of. I don't want to be known as a "social media junkie." My digital footprint is not necessarily reflecting me in a negative way but is isn't really saying anything about me. So, if someone were to try and look me up to get to know me, they still wouldn't know anything about me. My parents are always telling me about how when it's time for me to get a job that my employers will most likely look me. I wasn't too worried about it then but now I'm taking it more seriously since it's getting closer and closer for things like jobs and college to happen. I don't want to be the only one out of all my friends to not get accepted into college because of a Facebook status I posted to because of a inappropriate Instagram picture. I'm not saying I do these things but there are a bunch of people that do. Social media is fun and useful but it can render your chances at being successful in life.
All of the articles listed for us to read were all about people's digital footprints. The first one was clearly talking about how colleges are starting to set up social media accounts to see what their athletes and other students that may want to attend their school have going on. The second one is the same except those people are trying to get jobs rather than getting into college. The last article is about a woman who posted a negative comment on twitter and because of it a chain of negative comments came towards her. These articles prove that what you say online is not private and is taken very seriously to some people. It is best to watch what you say and keep negative thoughts to yourself. This is nothing new to me. My sister has had an argument on Facebook with a friend. She thought they were just messaging each other privately but they were really texting on her timeline which makes the conversation visible for all to see. Our mom eventually saw the conversation and she got into a lot of trouble for the foul language she used. Although it was funny to me because I wasn't the one in trouble, it still was a situation that needed to be taken seriously.