Digital footprints | Michelle Sadrena Pledger | TEDxHollywood

Summary

In this spoken word piece, a teacher at a small school reflects on the challenges and responsibilities of growing up in the digital age. Using personal anecdotes, the speaker highlights the importance of integrity and the lasting impact of our online actions. They stress that digital footprints are permanent and can affect everything from college admissions to job opportunities. The teacher offers advice on protecting privacy, thinking before posting, and balancing online activity with real-world experiences, encouraging students to make thoughtful, responsible choices in the digital world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Small schools provide opportunities for strong, personal relationships with students, allowing teachers to connect on a deeper level.
• 😀 Students today often believe that teachers can't relate to their digital lives or social media use.
• 😀 Teachers can use creative methods, like spoken word poetry, to deliver important life lessons disguised as entertainment.
• 😀 The digital world is full of long-lasting consequences, such as the impact of a 'digital footprint' on one's future.
• 😀 Digital footprints are the traces we leave online, which can affect our personal and professional lives in ways we may not foresee.
• 😀 Once something is posted online, it is hard, if not impossible, to fully erase it—especially with billions of people accessing the internet.
• 😀 Universities and employers actively search for and evaluate candidates based on their digital presence, which can lead to significant repercussions.
• 😀 Online freedom of self-expression may seem harmless, but it can be detrimental from a professional perspective, leading to career setbacks.
• 😀 We should be mindful before posting or interacting online, considering how our actions might impact our future goals and opportunities.
• 😀 The solution to navigating the digital world safely is to be thoughtful about what we post, remembering that we can't undo every action once it's out there.

Q & A

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of integrity in the context of the classroom?

The speaker emphasizes integrity by sharing a story of a student deciding not to cheat after hearing the speaker discuss how integrity, like virginity, is hard to regain once lost. This illustrates the value of maintaining integrity both in school and in life.

How does the speaker describe the unique nature of teaching at a small school?

The speaker enjoys working at a small school because it allows for close, personal relationships with students. In such an environment, it's impossible not to know everyone’s business, which fosters trust and connection.

What is the speaker's concern regarding social media and its impact on students?

The speaker is concerned that while students grow up in a secure and trusting environment, they are vulnerable to the dangers of social media, where their actions and digital presence may have lasting consequences.

Why do the students dislike the speaker's spoken word piece on 'Digital Footprints'?

The students dislike the piece not because of the delivery or arrangement, but because of the message. The piece highlights uncomfortable truths about digital behavior and its consequences, making students face the reality of their actions online.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'digital footprints'?

The term 'digital footprints' refers to the traceable online record of one's activities, including interactions on social media, which can impact one’s reputation and future opportunities in ways that might not be immediately obvious.

How does the speaker compare the internet to a 'web' in their spoken word piece?

The speaker compares the internet to a 'web' by suggesting that, like flies trapped in a web, everyone becomes entangled in the digital world. This metaphor emphasizes the difficulty of escaping the consequences of one’s online actions.

What advice does the speaker give to students regarding their online behavior?

The speaker advises students to think before they post or interact online, to consider how their actions will affect their future, and to be mindful of their digital presence. The message is clear: what you do online can have lasting real-world consequences.

How does the speaker explain the risks of posting on social media?

The speaker highlights that anything posted on social media—whether it's on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter—can be accessed, stored, and potentially used against individuals, whether by universities, employers, or others inquiring about one's history.

Why does the speaker mention a student being accepted to an Ivy League school but later having their admission rescinded?

The speaker uses this example to emphasize how a student's digital footprint can have serious consequences. Despite being highly intelligent and accepted into an Ivy League school, the student lost their admission due to inappropriate online behavior, illustrating how past online actions can affect one's future.

What is the key takeaway from the speaker’s message about digital behavior?

The key takeaway is that digital decisions have long-term consequences. By exercising caution, being mindful, and limiting what we share online, we can protect our personal and professional reputations and avoid harmful consequences in the future.