What is Digital Tattoo? Digital Tattoo vs Digital Footprint
The saying a "digital footprint" has often been used when talking about what you posted on the internet. The problem is now that social media and technology have really popped off, the impact you leave on the internet is not a "footprint" anymore it is a "tattoo". There is a permanence now which is similar to a tattoo. This tattoo reference is now that if you post something on the internet no matter how hard you try to erase it, it will always be out there. When posting information going forward, you need to think about if you would like this post to be visible for everyone to see for the rest of time.
My Digital Tattoo
Once in a while I have Googled my name to see what shows up, but if I am being honest I hate doing it. Even though I have stopped posting as much, it gives me anxiety to see what shows up and the unknown of something popping up that I posted when I was in high school or younger. If I see something that I don't necessary want on the internet anymore, I have tried in my power to get it deleted but I know it is never fully gone. Today will be the day I deep dive into my own personal "Digital Tattoo".
Searching Myself
Image Source: https://giphy.com/
First thing I did was open Firefox and search my name. I made sure all the filters were off and it was a free search, I chose Firefox over Google Chrome since I use Chrome every day. Opening Firefox and using that for the first time gave me that clean search. Then I entered my name into the Google bar and pressed search. I am going to be honest, a lot showed up under my name. This did not make me feel great but I decided to dig deep into all these results to see what information they give off.
The ones I knew would come up would be my school district and information that the school gives out for us teachers like contact pages, department information, grade level taught, content area and more. I also am the head coach of the Varsity Cheerleading team at the High School which pops up a lot of information from many websites. These websites included a magazine article that interviewed me, the high school's athletic page, IHSA Cheerleading page and our personal website for the Cheerleading team.
After looking at the current information that I knew would be on there. There was a lot of information about me from College and High School. I cheered at the University of Illinois, so their website and team rosters from all the years I was on it popped up. Also from high school, some articles I was in for Cheerleading and Track & Field popped up. This had stats and pictures which I was fine with, about 99% of these were posted by someone else not me which made me feel better. Also, a picture of myself during my senior year of High School crying since the football team ended their season. A news article actually posted the picture since my dad is one of the football coaches, I don't hate the picture but I don't necessarily love that it is up there. Last thing was my mom's school website popped up which I don't mind since it's not mine but it threw me off a little bit.
Searching myself on other apps
I went deeper into the search by looking on specific apps and searching my name. Some of the apps I was not so thrilled about were my Instagram and Pinterest account popped up. Even though they are both private it was pulled up right away on the search which makes me rethink if I need those accounts or not. Another thing I didn't like which popped up was a "Stacy Pater" TikTok Search, which I was so confused about since I don't even have a TikTok account.
Reflection
After digging deep into my "digital tattoo" it does make me anxious but not as much as it did before. People need to be aware of what they are posting and realize before they hit send or publish this is out there permanently like their own "tattoo". I am pretty good about making things private that I post but I am also aware of what I am posting. Especially once I was in college and knowing I wanted to be a teacher, I made sure that everything I was posting wouldn't hurt me in the long run. In today's society, many young children have social media accounts where it is truly their own. I believe it's a hard concept to understand at a young age that this stuff they are posting leaves a "tattoo" on them. I believe their parents or guardians can help with them knowing what to post on social media. In school, educators can give out tips and remind them but ultimately I believe it is their guardians that give them the final choice about social media. Learning this concept as soon as possible can definitely help in the long run.
How does your "digital tattoo" look?
Hi Stacy! I totally get it- I hate Googling my name as well. I know all my different media platforms and past articles with my name will appear. I know I have nothing to hide when it comes to my past on the internet, but similar to you, it makes me anxious. I agree with you when mentioned it is the responsibility of the parents to monitor their child's internet use and educate them about posting. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your point about being careful about what you post online. We may think at the time that it's fine but down the road, we might regret what we posted. However, It sounds like you did find some articles that could provide great memories.
ReplyDeleteHey Stacy! I also did not enjoy Googling myself either. I was unsure of what was going to pop up! I got a Facebook in 2008 and I was nervous images of myself in middle school would come up. I realized quickly that, just like you, 99% of the things posted were of someone else and not me. I agree that people should be aware of what they post on the Internet because it is permanent like a tattoo. I also think with this day and age, kids need to be aware of this "permanent marking". Kids may post impulsively without thinking of future consequences.
ReplyDeleteHi Stacy, I will be honest, I have looked myself up before. I wanted to see what was out there about me, if my name got lost in a sea of other results, or if my art personality showed up on people's search results. Nowadays, I do not mind that some aspect of my life (the art part) is so public. As for everything else, like you, I wanted to keep it private because I am working in education. Your point about Instagram and Pinterest was interesting to me. I barely use Pinterest anymore, and I wonder if I even need it. I like your point on how the final decision will have to land on the parents. Teachers can provide tools and tips, but parents are the ones with them for most of their lives.
ReplyDeleteHello Stacy! Thank you for sharing your insights on your data mine experience. I had no idea that high school and college sports teams involved so much online documentation - be it rosters, websites, or articles. Did you already know that some or all if this information was online? Or was some or all of this information a surprise during your data mine?
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Instagram and Pinterest popped up even though they were set to private. When you discern whether or not you still need those accounts, how do you make that decision? Is it based on whether or not you still use the account? Or whether or not you want to preserve the records in the account? (like an artifact of sorts)
Excellent point that caregivers need to be involved in teaching kids about digital tattoos, rather than putting that responsibility solely on teachers. Thanks for sharing your own journey on discovering your digital tattoo!