Digital Footprint

What is a digital footprint?  I feel many in today's society have heard this term but do not fully understand it or understand the ramification of this.  A digital footprint is the trail you leave online.  Many may  say so what, I do nothing bad on the internet.  Yet your digital footprint is permanent, and in today's world of everything being technology based it is very easy for people to find out about your online habits.

The problem with today's technology addicted world is that many companies will sell your search history, shopping habits, and your social media practices to other companies so that they can push unwanted ads, spam, and other malicious content to you while online. 

Teens and adults both do not take their online habits seriously.  High school students today more than ever need to protect themselves online because their past histories can comeback to haunt them when it comes time for job interviews, college admissions, and scholarships.  As teachers this education needs to start before they ever reach high school.  Schools need to begin teaching students about the dangers of the their digital footprint in elementary school.  Many schools feel its easier to say no then to teach appropriate use of technology.