Never post anything online you don't want the world to read. Don't use your real name. Your identity can be stolen. Don't post your address. Don't post when you will be out of town. Never post where you work. Don't use your credit card online.
These are just a sampling of the phrases regarding online safety that have circulated. Before the Internet, the publication of personal information was limited to the phone book and perhaps the newspaper. When the Internet began, people did not seem to have a sense of how public their information could become. Those who learned the hard way helped to spread the word about staying safe online. Then, it seemed that there was an influx of messages like the ones I posted above. People became incredibly cautious about what information they shared online.
Today, it seems that there has been a shift in the opposite direction. Social media has now infiltrated the Net. People are using social media for many different purposes, including socializing, dating, professional networking, learning new skills, and collaboration. It seems that people are more willing to open up and share their personal information, thoughts, and ideas online. Also, the lines between professional and personal use of social media have become more blurred. Furthermore, sites such as Facebook and About Me request phone numbers and addresses from their users.
I would like to hear what others think about the shift towards sharing personal information online. What do you think has led to the blurring of the lines between personal and professional use of social media? Do you feel that the Internet is now "safer" than it has been in the past? Are people more willing to post their personal data online? Why do you think this is?
Though I can't remember the source, I have heard it said that employers will Google a candidate as part of the interview process. There are any number of red-flags that can be raised through this Google search - embarrassing photos, inappropriate tweets, etc. A person should be aware of what appears when their name is searched. However, what I have heard suggested can be one of the biggest red-flags is a search that produces nothing. Employers WANT to see examples of positive digital citizenship and collaboration when considering an applicant. This can only occur through the creation of a digital identity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post Valerie.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the internet has become a safer place to post content, but I do feel that individuals are more educated about how to managed their digital identities and are more aware of how information can be curriculated.
I think more education should be offered in this realm in the classroom. It's become a big part of how we interact with people so I think it could be a valid part of the curriculum.
Gillian
We are having this conversation in the Sun West School Division with our 21st Century Educators as well. To see what others are saying, here is a link to our online conversation. As well, there is an interesting article from Will Richardson linked in this conversation that asks us to look differently at our presence and encourages us to become "clickable".
ReplyDeletehttp://21st-century-educator.wikispaces.com/share/view/63843310
- Jade Ballek (Sun West School Division)
http://thelearninglens.blogspot.ca/
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ReplyDeleteIt isn't necessarily about becoming safer as we recognize there are benefits to having a digital identity and to learning as part of an online community. However, it is important to make a distinction between creating a digital identify as an educator as opposed to students and their digital identity.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Sue Waters
@suewaters
Edublogs Support Manager