A huge emphasis was placed on the concept of a digital footprint during my K-12 education so I am very aware of the impact of posting something on the internet. It is there forever and can be accessed and used beyond your intended audience. I have a rule that I don’t post anything that I wouldn’t show to my mom, because someway somehow she might end up seeing it.
The impact of someone’s online activity, their digital footprint, can be taught without major consequences needing to have happened first! Justin Boyle says in an article about tips for students managing their digital footprint on Teach Thought, “Just make sure to let them know that everything that they post, tweet, comment or like is going down on their permanent record.”
The concept of digital citizenship is about being safe, respectful, and responsible on digital platforms. An article by the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights stressed the importance of digital citizenship saying, “Digital Citizenship Education is very important because it teaches citizens to use technology in order to engage respectfully online, to find reliable online sources and to avoid the violation of human rights.”
Overall I believe that it is crucial to include Digital Citizenship and Digital Footprint Education in the classroom.