Welcome to The AT&T Digital Privacy Tool Kit, where you will learn about your online privacy and reputation.
How many of you have a social networking profile? Most teens share pictures, videos, posts, and things about themselves on the Internet. But have you thought about what the impact might be, whether it’s short-term or in the future? Through these learning materials you will be exploring the good and bad of online sharing, and why it’s important to think about your privacy online.
Did you know?
- 75% of US companies do online searches of job candidates
- 70% of recruiters have rejected candidates based on information they’ve found online
- 82% of college admissions officers use Facebook to recruit prospective students
Do you want to learn more about how to protect your online privacy and reputation? Let's start by watching the story of Abbas.
Interesting! Now, please explore each of the following lessons and you will learn more about your digital privacy and its implications to your reputation and future.
- How can information you post on the Internet affect your future opportunities?
- Creating a Positive Digital Footprint
- Common Sense on Privacy – Parent Tip Sheet
- Common Sense on Cyberbullying – Parent Tip Sheet
- Common Sense on Security – Parent Tip Sheet
- Sentido Comun Cibernetico – Spanish curriculum version
As you’ve seen, it’s important to have a positive digital footprint about yourself out there. Here are some tips on creating a positive digital footprint:
- Use a personal blog as a way to show your work and talents: You can showcase your resume, things you’re proud of, even a “digital portfolio” of your work that recruiters can look at.
- Be careful about what photos and videos you post online: Ask yourself, “What would a college admissions officer or job recruiter think if they saw this?” Post things that make you proud.
- Be respectful of what you post about others online: You can help build a positive digital footprint for others by commenting positively about them, adding photos that would make them proud, and asking permission before you tag them in photos.
- Privacy settings help, but things can still be copied, forwarded, and shared. Even if your profile is private, remember that friends who can view your profile can copy, paste, and share something – without you knowing.
- Follow a school on Facebook or Twitter: If a college finds you on Facebook, for instance, they will see that you have “liked” their page, which makes you stand out in a pool of candidates.