What Is a Digital Footprint — And Why Should You Care?

When you post a photo, comment on a video, or search something online, you're leaving behind more than you think. Every click, like, and share contributes to what's called your digital footprint. But what exactly does that mean — and why should you care?

What is a Digital Footprint?

Your digital footprint is the trail of data you leave behind whenever you use the internet. It includes things you actively post (like social media content, emails, or blog comments), and things that are collected passively (like your location, search history, and the websites you visit).

There are two main types:

• Active footprint: Anything you deliberately share online.

• Passive footprint: Data collected about you without your direct input, like cookies tracking your browsing (Common Sense Media, 2022).

Why It Matters

Many people think their online activity disappears over time — but it doesn’t. Your digital footprint can shape how others see you, especially when applying for jobs, scholarships, or university programs. In fact, around 70% of employers screen applicants through social media during hiring (CareerBuilder, 2018).

Plus, a careless post or comment made in the heat of the moment can stick around for years. In a world where screenshots and archives exist, the internet rarely forgets.

Real-World Examples

A teen was denied admission to Harvard after racist and offensive memes they shared in a private group chat were uncovered (The Harvard Crimson, 2017).

A student who created a YouTube channel about science experiments caught the attention of local news and earned an internship at a tech company.

Multiple influencers and celebrities have lost brand deals or faced backlash when problematic past content resurfaced.

How to Protect and Shape Your Digital Footprint

Here are a few practical tips:

Think before you post. Ask yourself: Would I be okay if a teacher, future boss, or family member saw this? Check your privacy settings. Keep personal information visible only to people you trust. Google yourself. See what others can find about you and clean up anything inappropriate or outdated. Use your footprint for good. Share your accomplishments, community work, or creative projects. Let the internet reflect your best self (University of Edinburgh, 2021).

Final Thoughts

Your digital footprint is part of your online identity. It’s like a shadow that follows you — sometimes helpful, sometimes risky. The good news? You do have control over it. By staying aware and intentional, you can shape a footprint that opens doors, rather than closes them.

Sources:

Common Sense Media. (2022). What’s a Digital Footprint? https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship/lesson/your-digital-footprint 

CareerBuilder. (2018). More Than Half of Employers Have Found Content on Social Media That Caused Them Not to Hire a Candidate. https://press.careerbuilder.com 

The Harvard Crimson. (2017). Harvard Rescinds Acceptances for At Least Ten Students for Obscene Memes. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/6/5/accepted-students-memes-rescinded/ 

University of Edinburgh. (2021). Managing Your Digital Footprint. https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/help-consultancy/is-skills/digital-footprint 

Written By:

Vibhas Tallapalli