Today, we use the internet and devices like phones, tablets, and TVs a lot. While the internet is amazing, it’s not all fun and games, so knowing what can go wrong online is important. It’s important to take care of our online safety and privacy. Often, staying safe means keeping information about ourselves private. Let’s learn about our digital identity, what it means to share personal information, and how to stay safe online.
The Digital World and Digital Identity
When we talk about the digital world, we mean everything we do online and the devices we use to connect to the internet. Every time we do something online, even where we swipe and how long we look at a picture online, we leave a digital footprint. That is like a record of our online activities and, put together, creates our digital identity. Digital identity is the version of ourselves built with the info (called “data points”) we make online. This includes things like what we watch, how we play games, what we do on social media, and what we search for. The more we share, the higher the risks of negative consequences.
Identity: Anonymous vs. Real Name
For starters, choosing between being anonymous (using a fake name) or using your real name online is important. Being anonymous can protect you, especially if you’re not ready to deal with the effects of sharing your real identity. Giving your name may not seem like a big deal, but it is often the piece that allows bad actors to put other important information about you together. Sometimes, using your real name is necessary, like for school apps. It is best to use a code name whenever possible.
Consequences of Sharing Information Online
Sharing other personal information online can also be risky. It can lead to privacy problems, bullying, and interactions with strangers. Kids are especially at risk because some people might misuse the information shared online to steal your identity (that means pretending they are you to do things like opening a bank account) or try to hurt you. You will often only be aware of it after harm has already been done. Even people you know well can misuse what you share online, for example, through bullying or trying to influence your opinion. It’s important to learn about these risks and always be careful about what we share and with whom.
AI and the Digital Footprint
Another thing to remember is that what happens online is usually permanent. Unlike mistakes we make offline, online information is tough to erase. The “right to be forgotten” is a legal idea that lets people ask for their data to be removed from the internet. But even with this right, it’s often complicated and sometimes impossible to completely delete online content. Another factor in this is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which helps collect and put together online information about us. Increasingly, schools and companies use AI to monitor our online identities and make decisions about our future. This means sharing too much today can have consequences far down the road.
Viewing History and Information Bubbles
A last crucial impact of our digital footprint is how it affects the content we see online. Apps and websites not only collect information on us but also share information among themselves. They use this information to create personalized experiences based on what they know about us. This can create information bubbles, where we only see content that matches our interests and beliefs. These information bubbles can make it seem like everyone else sees the same things and give us an incorrect worldview. It also makes it difficult to tell the truth from a lie online. This can easily lead to arguments between people that are based on nothing more than incorrect information. Knowing this can help us look for different perspectives and avoid these bubbles, also called echo chambers.
Practical Tips for Sharing Information Online
So, what should we share online and how can we improve our online safety and privacy? A simple rule is: “If you’re young, don’t share anything. If you’re older, you must also be careful. Don’t share details about yourself unless you know the person well. If you don’t know them, don’t share.” Treat sharing information as an exception, not the norm. Being a part of the digital world means balancing its benefits with protecting our privacy and safety. By understanding our digital footprint, making smart choices about our online identity, and being careful about what we share, we can create a safer online environment for ourselves and others. Remember, the digital world is powerful, but it comes with responsibilities.
We are proud sponsors of Angeline Corvaglia’s podcast, Digital Dominoes. This article accompanies the topics covered in episode 1, “Is It Okay to Share My Information Online?“
Look here for more videos and educational materials for our Digital Navigators: Welcome Digital Navigators! – Data Girl and Friends (data-girl-and-friends.com)
Our youngest digital defenders from the Discovery Squad can learn the importance of keeping their info safe online by doing our interactive workbook, “Guardians of Your Data: Learn how to protect your information online!” https://data-girl-and-friends.pagetiger.com/data-guardians/