We use Google, cvgadget, iSearch, Googlism and some participants are surprised what they discover. While we can talk about the importance of a digital footprint we discover the importance of searching yourself online. I let them Google my name. Explaining the importance of verifying sources makes an impact when the entries that appear show my name, with a different middle initial, a different state, different age but a convicted sex offender. How do they know it is not me? We compare details and images but for those who do not know me they are only going what they learn about me from previous participants, follow me on Twitter, connected through Linkedin or through my blog how do they really know who I am?
I encourage them to take ownership of their digital footprint before they apply for a job, scholarship, volunteer opportunities, or any other possibility where they can connect with others. While I have background checks conducted by the various organizations that I apply for as a volunteer and different states requirements for substitute teaching, I have a security clearance because of my career with the military. So I assure them that I am safe and another reason for us to meet in the library where everyone can look, listen, and learn from everything we do in the workshops. Trust but verify is just another step as we challenge individuals to become self aware and empowered.
This blog post was engendered by a retweet I did of EdTechSandyK 's tweet, "Student Googles Himself, Finds Out He is Wanted for Murder".
Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project published a report on May 26, 2010 by Mary Madden and Aaron Smith, titled: Research Reputation Management and Social Media: How people monitor their identity and search for others online. This article addresses several major trends have indicated growth in activities related to online reputation management.
What is your favorite search tool when seeking information about yourself? Do you have a story like the young man in the story that discovered his name associated with a murder warrant? How do you manage your digital footprint when a search produces information about your name but not necessarily you?
2 comments:
I'm glad a Tweet I sent helped encourage you to write this post! The fact that the wrong person could be sought out for murder was disturbing, but I was impressed that he found out in enough time to do something about it by Googling himself.
I appreciate the tools you shared in this post. I just found a couple of quotes attributed to me from over 15 years ago using one of the search tools. WOW!
Not to mention another realization I came to - I have my Facebook profile locked down from coming up in Google searches, but if I comment on or even "like" something on a Facebook profile or page that is searchable by Google, my name comes up in Google search. Even if I just "like" something! Thanks to your post for helping me learn something new today!
I am glad we all learn something. Thanks for being part of my PLN and that you could find something from 15 years ago. I tell the workshop participants I learn something from them just as I hope they learned something from each other. Thanks for sharing the Facebook experience, I gave Facebook up because it became more challenging to maintain privacy and connections than as a learning tool and having fun. Thanks for the comment!
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