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Ages 8+ · Digital Life · Me online
Your digital footprint
👣footprint📸a copy🗑️delete🧑‍🏫teacher test
What you post leaves a footprint.
The big ideaWhat you post leaves a footprint that can last. Think first.

How it works

A footprint is what you leave behind online: a photo, a comment, a like or a message.

A footprint can last, and other people can copy it.

Deleting your own post takes it off your page, but it cannot reach a copy that someone else saved.

Think before you post, and ask a grown-up when you are not sure.

Mia's footprints01234563Photos5Comments6Likes4Chats2Videosfootprints
Mia's footprints this year.

Example 1: A screenshot

  1. Mia posted a silly photo and deleted it the next day.
  2. Sam had taken a screenshot, a copy of whatever was on the screen.
  3. Deleting could not reach his copy, and he had shown two friends.

Example 2: More than you mean

  1. A photo can show a house number, a street sign or a school crest.
  2. Mia's photo had a number on the gate and a street sign.
  3. Where you live is private from strangers and people online, but it is fine to tell a grown-up, a teacher or a police officer.
Could show where you live or learn• A house number• A street sign• A school crestShows nothing about you• A cat on a fence• A blue sky• A bowl of fruit
In a photo.

Example 3: The teacher test

  1. Before you post, ask: would I be fine if my teacher saw this?
  2. Then ask the same about your gran.
  3. If you would not be happy for them to see it, do not post it. Look at the background too.
ThinkTeacher testCheck thebackgroundAsk a grown-up
Before you post.

Example 4: Adding up

  1. Mia's footprints were photos 3, comments 5, likes 6, chats 4 and videos 2.
  2. 3 + 5 + 6 + 4 + 2 = 20
  3. So Mia left 20 footprints in all.

Words to know

digital footprint
What you leave behind online.
screenshot
A copy of whatever is on the screen.
teacher test
Would I be fine if my teacher saw this?

Watch out

Try it

  1. You delete a post. Is every copy gone?
  2. Does a thought in your head leave a footprint online?
  3. Which could show where you live: a street sign or a blue sky?
  4. Mia left 3 photos and 6 likes. How many more likes than photos?
Answers: 1. No · 2. No · 3. A street sign · 4. 3 more
Try at homeWith a grown-up, find the setting that says who can see what you share.
For grown-upsFind the setting that shows who can see your child's posts, together, and walk through the teacher test on a photo they would like to share.
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