When I was a kid I had a much different idea of what my digital self would be. ( Damn you Tron!) Like a lot of other kids, I pictured myself in video games jumping on turtle heads or saving Zelda. The reality is much less glamorous but creating a good digital self is more important today than ever. Often times, your career or potential career may hinge on the digital footprint you leave on the internet. So, it is extremely important to have a clear understanding what your online reputation is and to protect it.
When I first started using the net, it seemed like an anonymous place where just about anything goes and there were no consequences to anything you might do or say. This couldn't be further from the truth, as the internet has a memory and it rivals that of the elephant so don't peeve it off. As I have gotten more internet savvy , I have tried over time to take the necessary steps to protect my online reputation. I thoroughly review all the privacy settings available with the different social networking sites I participate in and I'm more selective with the content that I upload online.
A quick Google search of myself doesn't drum up a lot of information. The various social networking sites I have profiles on pop up but not much else. On these sites I have tried to create a profile that presents the qualities I want others to know about me. Anything personal I might have on sites like Facebook are protected by viewing settings and only available to people I trust. However, I am highly considering taking the time to go through the painstaking process of reviewing all the pictures and posts I have made and removing any that I might deem a bit suspect. I like posting funny videos which despite being hilarious might not give the right impression to my peers or potential employers.
Another area where I could improve my online reputation would be to take more time to properly review all the features offered by the various networking sites. I have a Linkedin account but to be honest I have not really explored the site much and don't know much about the applications or features I might be able to utilize. I'm sure there are features that would have enhance my reputation.
Finally, there seems to be a lot more sites that I can participate and build my online reputation. Many of the sites we have spoke about in class are new to me. Sites like Reddit are familiar but I haven't bothered looking at them. I will have to get a lot more familiar with them before take the step to join their respective communities.
There is definitely a fair bit of room for improvement of my online reputation and I am looking forward to learning more about the ways I can enhance my digital footprint. Now, if could only be as easy picking up a hammer and smashing a bunch of turtles.
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