Managing Our Digital Footprints

With more social networking tools popping up every day, the digital world holds more possibilities than ever. But with a larger online presence, we also have to be increasingly conscious of how we appear to others on sites like Twitter and Facebook.

 

Chris Vollum, a parent and recognized authority on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine, Tumblr and SnapChat, knows how to stand apart from others on social media – and how what we post affects us in the long term. He shared his knowledge at Greenwood this week through a “Bring Your Own Device” presentation, where students could immediately put his advice into action on their phones, tablets and computers.

 

“Think of me as a white-water rafting guide,” Chris said. “I know where all of the cool routes are, but I can also help you avoid the rocks.”

 

Social media can be a very powerful communication tool, and Chris demonstrated how several people and organizations use it to great effect. He shared the example of Books with no Bounds, a literacy program run by two Oakville teens who are collecting books for young people in the Nishanwbe Aski Nation. Twitter has been one of their best tools in gathering more than 30,000 books for this cause.

 

When social media is used inappropriately, however, posts can come back to haunt us. Chris encouraged students to remember that, with any social media tool, “anything you post is persistent, visible, spreadable and searchable. Even with the best privacy settings, you’re only as private as the least private friend on your friend list.”

 

The anonymity provided by social media can also lead people to post things they wouldn’t otherwise say. Chris emphasized the importance of being good “online citizens” – treating others respectfully in the digital world, just as we would in other forms of communication.

 

Chris went over privacy settings on a number of popular tools, including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. His tips included:

Ultimately, the goal is to be “googleable” – to build up a positive, diverse online presence. “Create content that is interesting, adds value for others and builds your reputation,” Chris says. “That’s what will help you stand out from others, in postsecondary and beyond.”

 

As with social media, learning is about keeping the conversation going. At Greenwood, student Advisers will follow up with their advisees next week on the key themes addressed in the presentation.