by By Avery Olson
Social media has increased exponentially in popularity since its conception in the early 2000s. As younger teens and children start to get involved with social media, conversations surrounding internet privacy and digital footprints become more important. Verizon calls a digital footprint “the traceable data and activity a user leaves on the internet. You add to your digital footprint whenever you visit a website, send an email, submit an online form, or complete another trackable action online.” It can be overwhelming to think about the amount of things you do online, and how they can be traced, but there are ways you can reduce your digital footprint while still using social media and other online platforms.
- Adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms.
Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn all allow users to customize their privacy settings to determine what information is available to unknown users. Instagram, X and TikTok offer users the option of making their accounts private, which restricts all users from seeing posts from that account unless accepted by the account owner. LinkedIn offers even more customization, allowing users to toggle whether or not other users can see their name, profile picture, and headline when first discovering their profile.
- Know what content is visible to everyone vs. pre-selected people
Instagram, Tik Tok and Snapchat offer options for users to send content to pre-approved sets of people. On Instagram, this is called a “close friends story,” on Tik Tok, a “followers-only post,” and on Snapchat, a “private story.” These differ from stories or posts made on private accounts because even though someone may follow a private account, these posts are then only made visible to a select few users chosen by the poster. Understanding which posts are visible to which users can prevent posts that were intended to be private from being spread outside of their intended audiences.
- Familiarize yourself with mute, block, and report features
If there are certain people online who you want to shield your account from entirely, you can block them. All platforms offer this feature, which makes it impossible for blocked users to find your account in a search, view it when tagged in a post, or message you. If you’re experiencing online harassment and feel someone’s account should be removed from the platform altogether, you can report them, which triggers an investigation by the platform’s internal team. This guide from the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) offers step-by-step instructions on how to protect yourself from unwanted attention and content on every social media platform.
- Be aware of location sharing
Most platforms allow users to tag their posts with the locations they were taken at, and Snapchat even offers “Snapmaps,” a way for users to see where their friends are in real time. If you choose to use these features, practice basic safety when doing so. Don’t tag posts with a location while you’re still at that location, and if you choose to allow Snapchat to share your location with others, be aware of who has access to that information, and update it accordingly.
- Use smart judgment
Even though your account may be private, or you may only post something intended to be seen by your closest friends, it doesn’t mean that post will never be seen by other audiences. Users can screenshot posts or forward them to other people, sometimes without the poster knowing. Private information or photos that could negatively impact your life if it were to reach a wider audience should never be posted online, regardless of who it’s intended for. This video details how your digital footprint might be assessed by potential employers, and how it can impact your likelihood of receiving a job offer.
Digital footprints are so important, especially as online presences become more commonplace. By learning how to protect yourself online early on, you also protect your chances of getting and keeping a job, getting approved for loans, and maintaining your personal relationships.
I really enjoyed this post! I believe as one of the first generations to grow up with social media and access to the internet, we are going to be the first to see the impacts of our digital footprints. Thanks for the great tips and a good reminder to update my privacy settings!