Safeguarding your digital reputation is just as important as protecting your “real world” reputation. As you become more and more involved online, you need to regularly monitor and maintain your digital reputation. Here are some quick tips…

This list is presented in no particular order and is by no means intended to be an exhaustive list. Add your own tips as you like.

Take personal responsibility for your actions

I often say, “Don’t do dumb stuff, but when you do, own it!” This is an all-encompassing tip for life, but definitely applies to the use/misuse of technology. Everyone makes poor choices and mistakes. Recognize when it happens to you. Own that this was your choice or mistake. Admit to yourself (and others, if necessary) that it happened. Work to make it right (i.e., find a solution, admit that you messed up, apologize, make it right).

Maintain your privacy

Maintain your privacy settings so that your social media is “locked tight” and can only be viewed by family and friends.

Only “Friend” people you know in your real life

No, REALLY!!! This is to protect yourself…ANYONE can claim to be a kid/teenager/young adult. If you don’t know that person in your actual world, do not “Friend” that person! Likewise, NEVER meet someone in your real life whom you have only met online!!! This is a safety issue…And, yes, I tell this to my own children.

Ask yourself, “Is it worth posting?”

Follow the Golden Rule (i.e., “If your can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”) when writing or posting anything. think about whether you would want someone to post this about you.

Consider how your post may be interpreted (or misinterpreted)

Keep comments that can be misunderstood off your social media. Especially be careful when posting about religion, social issues, politics, social events, and hot-button topics. This is a way to lose friends quickly…

No bullying!

This is non-negotiable! Just as in “real life,” you must watch what you say on social media/online so that someone does not become offended or feel hurt by your words. Words can be hurtful…Everyone has “stuff,” and you don’t always know how your words can and will affect someone else. Sadly, with social media, your words/posts take on a life of their own much faster than in the actual world…and they are there forever.

Do not leave personal devices (e.g., cell phones, laptops, iPads) unattended or unlocked.

Since you cannot control what others send to you, you need to maintain control over your devices so that someone does not “accidentally” view a posting or message that causes them to become upset or causes you to struggle unnecessarily. (This happened to my youngest son…a classmate posted a video of a fellow classmate doing something socially awkward. My son did not forward this on to anyone and later deleted it; however, another student saw it and was offended…He served three lunch detentions for not deleting the video immediately and turning off his phone. Learn from his error!) Doing this helps to protect your personal data, too.

Only use district approved apps and cites; follow your district’s technology agreement.

These are in place to protect your and keep you safe in online situations. Do not click on pop-up adds. Alert your teacher or another caring adult if you end up on an inappropriate website. If you “need” access to a site that has not been preapproved, request permission from your teacher…and he/she will vet the site first (and/or check with the district’s tech department); if determined to be appropriate and necessary for your research, the site often can be unlocked.

Be respectful…

Yes, this is a variation on a theme, but cannot be said enough…Be respectful of others with respect to what you write and post online. (This includes photos!!!) When in doubt, have someone else proofread your post before sending or posting it. Make sure that your words and photos cannot be misinterpreted or that your meaning is not misunderstood or misrepresented.

Future employers and colleges WILL see your posts!

AGAIN, even deleted posts can be recovered…If you wouldn’t say it or show it to your Grandma, DON’T DO IT!!! (And, if your Grandma is totally “cool,” then think about your friend’s ultra uncool Grandma…Would she think it was okay to post?)