Try to avoid using public computers as it is easier to steal your personal information. Always remember to create "strong " passwords with 4 or more phrases or 15 or more letters. A combination of these with symbols is even stronger.

No additional questions at this time.

To protect our digital footprint, we should: be cautious when using public Wi-Fi, especially for online shopping or banking, use strong, unique passwords, install protective software like a VPN, and stay aware of how smartphones expose personal data online. Practicing mindful internet use is essential for safeguarding privacy.

I’d tell my younger self: Be careful what you share online because once it’s out there, it’s impossible to take back. Use strong passwords and never share them. Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like banking or online shopping. Think before clicking links or downloading files to avoid scams and viruses. A VPN can help protect your data. Social media isn’t private, so don’t overshare personal details. Finally, always question what apps and websites are collecting about you. The internet remembers everything!

What websites or apps collect/track your data and how?

What are steps I can take to reduce my digital footprint?

This module opened my eyes to how much personal information is collected online, often without my awareness. I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of managing my digital footprint, creating strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and adjusting privacy settings. Cyber risks like viruses and phishing can compromise sensitive data, making tools like antivirus software and VPNs essential. I had not fully considered how passive data collection, such as tracking and cookies, affects privacy. Moving forward, I will be more intentional about monitoring my digital presence and using cybersecurity tools to protect my personal information.

Advice to My Younger Self About Digital Safety 

If I could give my younger self advice, I would emphasize the importance of thinking carefully before sharing anything online. Once something is posted, it can be difficult to remove. It is essential to use strong, unique passwords and never share them with others. Keeping social media accounts private, being mindful of what is posted, and avoiding suspicious links or messages from strangers can help protect personal information. Many companies and apps track online activity, so privacy settings should be reviewed frequently. Enabling multi-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security. Staying safe online requires awareness and thoughtful decision-making.

What Other Questions Do You Have About This Topic?

I am curious about how digital footprints influence future opportunities, such as job applications or academic admissions. How long is online data accessible, and is it ever truly deleted? How can individuals verify whether a website or app collects personal data without clear disclosure? What are the most effective tools for tracking and managing a digital footprint over time?

The key takeaway for me this week is that we are all vulnerable to digital theft. We all leave behind active digital footprints when we use social media or intentionally post something on a virtual platform (LinkedIn.). Passive digital footprints are a little more concerning because they are unintentional, and we do not even realize we are leaving them behind. This alerted me that I have to be more cautious and careful about utilizing these social platforms.

If I were a time traveler and could speak to my younger self, I would tell myself, "Watch how much you share!" My younger self relied too much on the safeguards that platforms such as Facebook have, but our information is unsafe, as we have recently seen. Once the information is shared, it will stay on that platform forever and can potentially come back to haunt your adult self.

How can I reduce my active digital footprint? How do I ensure that my passive footprint is also protected?

I would explain to my younger self the importance of posting online - pictures, comments, opinions, etc. Once something is out there, it can be there forever. Even if it is deleted, someone may have taken a picture or reposted it, and it can come back to haunt you. I would also discuss the importance of making sure to keep personal information confidential and not sharing passwords, even with family members or boyfriends. And to ensure those passwords are different for different accounts and strong so that they are less likely to be hacked.

One question I have is: Are there any apps currently being tested that may be capable of totally erasing your digital footprint?

If i were to time travel, I would tell myself the same thing that my parents did. That was to think before you post absolutely anything because once you do, it is online forever. I would tell them to be mindful of their posts because of future careers.

How do privacy settings on social media impact your digital footprint? Are there any examples of a positive digital footprint?

I also learned that when choosing passwords, it is best not to use the same one every time, to create long passwords to prevent hackers and to make sure the password is not something personally related to you that could be easily guessed.

If I were to travel back in time and speak with myself as a child about digital safety, I would first have to explain what the word digital means! I would then tell myself to invest in good cybersecurity in the digital age. I would also tell myself that many people are not kind and hide within the digital world, so be careful. If they choose to go on social media, they can protect themselves in their settings and only allow people they truly know onto their accounts or allow access to their information. 

One thing that I would like to ensure is that if I were to pass away, someone I trust would be able to access my accounts to shut things down properly and dispose of my personal information correctly.

I learned a lot of good information in the week 8 module on digital safety. I learned it is important to use strong passwords and that our information is not as safe as we think it is. I also learned that when you are accepting cookies to read the fine print and don't accept if you don't have to. I learned that it is important to protect my digital footprint.

Fortunately, I was not a child using the internet. Facebook didn't start till after I was married and I have seen many mistakes people have made on it. I am aware of the importance of digital footprints haunting people for years and even even effecting their job security. But if I was giving myself or anyone advice about digital security I would say to use strong passwords. Don't share anything online that you wouldn't want your employer to know about. Don't use public WIFI if you can avoid it, and do not use your real date of birth, address and phone number.

I have so many questions about how hackers get information and how they trick people with software to get people to give them control over their computer and information. I think that there needs to be more laws around what people can and can't do on the internet and consequences when they brake those laws.

I would stress the value of exercising caution when using the Internet if I could talk to my younger self. Even with persons they believe to be trustworthy, I would counsel them never to divulge personal data, including phone numbers, addresses, and complete names. To avoid unwanted access, I emphasize how crucial it is to create strong, one-of-a-kind passwords for every account and to change them frequently. I also caution against downloading files that have not been validated or clicking on dubious links because these could be infected with viruses or malware. I advise kids to always get a second opinion from an adult before making any decisions online. Lastly, I advise them to consider their posts carefully because taking anything off once it is online is tough. Preserving their privacy and understanding digital safety would be my top priority.

I would like to know if there are new methods to defend against developing cyber threats and how to keep up with the most recent trends in digital safety. How can we continue to outsmart hackers?

Advice to My Younger Self:
I’d advise my younger self to never share passwords, even with close friends, and to be careful about what I post online. Protecting privacy by using strong, unique passwords and always thinking twice before sharing personal information or clicking on unknown links is essential.

Other Questions:
How can I maintain digital safety in the long term as technology changes? What can schools or workplaces do to protect their digital environments?

If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self to always be aware of what others look up on your devices, as it all shows up in your digital footprint. I would also tell myself that I should not be accepting all cookies when it pops up on the webpages. As for passwords, I used horrible passwords in the past that could easily be guessed, I would tell my younger self not to, as to make my passwords 15 characters long to protect my personal data. I would want to go back in time and tell myself to look up digital safety to ensure I take the steps to be sure that my data was protected from the start.

If I could give my younger self advice, it would be: Always use a strong password when creating an account. Ensure your password has at least 5 characters and that it isn't too short. Make sure it's complex and difficult to guess. Never share your passwords with anyone.

I don't have any other questions about this topic, but I am always willing to learn more about technology and how to keep myself safe.

It is also recommended to use anti-virus protection even if it is already built in.

If I had to alert my younger self. I would say use these platforms wisely protecting your password and your digital footprints. Always use antivirus protection on your computer and do not accept cookies.

Is it possible to delete your information that is on Google? How would one go about it? I'm also curious to know if it is possible to delete information or a Facebook page that is dormant?

The digital safety advice I would give myself as a child would be to restrict the amount of personal information being shared with strangers online.

I am interested in learning about reducing my passive digital footprint.

My central takeaways and learning from module 8 are to be mindful of my digital footprint and have a stronger password for all my tech needs. I want to use the phrase technique with special characters to enhance the security factor of my passwords. I want to look into a password manager to help save and protect my multiple passwords.

If I were to travel back in time to when I was a child or teen and tell myself something about digital safety, it would be to have a stronger password, be extremely mindful of what you post online, and know that anything on the web can actually be a factor when going to school or getting a job down the road as it is all traceable.

Which password manager is recommended? I fear choosing one that could be hacked and is not cyber-safe.

I would tell my younger self that social media is not as harmless as you think because your digital footprint is always out there whether you delete something or not. I am lucky that I have never been overly enthused or involved in social media but a reminder that just because it is the norm does not mean it has to be something I need to participate in. I would also tell my younger self that employers actually do search your digital footprint and it isn't just a scare tactic that adults tell us.

This week reminded me of the importance of prioritizing our digital safety. We have the right to control our digital privacy, and it's crucial to recognize that we hold the power to manage it. Personal information can be collected, shared, and stored based on our digital footprint. I recently learned about the distinction between an active and a passive digital footprint. Once we share our data online, it's out there—it becomes part of the web. For example, when I accept cookies on a website while searching for recipes, I unknowingly allow my data to be collected and monitored through a passive digital footprint. Even when I log in to a public Wi-Fi network, like at the library, I put my privacy and personal information at risk.

What Would I Tell My Younger Self?

When I was younger, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter weren’t a big part of life. I didn’t have a cell phone until I was 18, and even though I’m only 36 now, I didn't document and share everything online. When I recently searched for personal information about myself online, there wasn't much available. The only details I found were related to my role as a local hockey league convener—just my name, an email address for contact, and no pictures.

I feel I've done a decent job of protecting my digital safety. Moving forward, I want to not only tell my younger self, but also teach my children, the importance of safeguarding privacy. I’d advise them not to share every moment of their lives online. Not everything needs to be filmed, recorded, or posted on social media, as this content could follow them for the rest of their lives.

My Questions

1. How can I actively minimize my digital footprint?

2. Do I need to completely avoid social media to stay safe?

3. Does keeping my accounts private offer sufficient protection?

If I talked to my younger self, I would advise being cautious about sharing personal details online, including full name, location, and passwords. Avoid using public Wi-Fi and clicking on suspicious links. Use strong passwords, enable privacy settings, and never share personal information online to be mindful of digital footprints.

What are the best tools to enhance digital safety for children?

If I could go back in time to speak with myself as a child, I would probably mention the exact same stuff I'd written above. Along with the inclusion of a few other items like; whatever you put online is there forever, never tag a location on posts and probably to report people who are showing signs of being digitally unsafe through bullying, etc.

Other than that, I have nothing additional to add or any outstanding questions.

If I were to time travel and speak to myself as a child about digital safety, I would tell myself not to use personal information in passwords rather use pass phrases. I would also tell myself not to have my cellphone number public on any social media website.

One question I have about this topic is how do I protect myself from hackers obtaining my cellphone number and calling me pretending to be the government or a bank?

When talking to my younger self about digital safety, I would stress the importance of using strong and unique password for different accounts. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities, like banking, as it can be easily compromised. Only connect with people you know and trust on social media, think twice before posting anything online. Not everyone you talk to online is your friend or who they say they are. Regularly review your privacy settings be cautious about the information you share to protect your digital footprint.

I would advice them not to rely on technology too much. Once you post, you cannot delete, and it stays in cyberspace, and anyone can access that information at any time and anywhere. You are responsible for yourself. I would describe it as Karma that if you post anything bad about anyone or any action, it will come back to you and destroy you. Always use passwords and learn about computers and technology so that you can protect yourself. Also, use protective software on your computer and phone to protect all your information and important documents.

I am still trying to learn how to use digital tools and when and where to apply them.

How reliable is the information on the World Wide Web and through AI?

The week 8 module addressed my online data safety, privacy settings, and the detection of cybersecurity threats. I understand that what I do online can impact my reputation and prospects. The most important are hard-to-guess passwords, two-factor authentication, being cautious when posting on social media, and not opening strange links or scams. Internet security must be ensured daily, and we must be proactive and vigilant so that we can remain safe.

Internet Safety Tips for My Younger Self

If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her that she should never post her personal information like passwords, addresses, or full names online. She should have strong passwords, not share them with anyone, not open suspicious links, and watch what she writes online because whatever she does on the web leaves a trail behind.

I would also remind myself to be careful when putting up pictures or information about myself because it is viewed by more people than I may even know. Finally, I encourage using safe websites and reporting to an authority figure if something on the internet does not look right or if it feels secure.

Other Questions I Have

What is the likely future impact on internet digital safety and privacy with the emerging application of AI and other new tech? What are the best means to inform preschool-age youngsters about internet safety at their cognitive level?

How can I effectively eliminate permanent, unwanted, or outdated digital tracks?

I would tell my younger self the basics of how we actually leave digital footprints. I would encourage her to learn to code and be super tech savvy as it is essentially like learning another language. I would tell her just to use a password manager instead of writing her passwords all down in a note taking app on her phone. And also to avoid posting on social medial as much as possible.

If I were to time travel and speak with my younger self about digital safety, I would start by discussing digital media literacy. I would encourage my younger self to always fact-check and recognize biases and potential persuasive tactics not only in marketing and advertising but also in influencers and content creators.

Questions:

• How long is the data from my passive digital footprint stored?

If you were to time travel and speak with yourself as a child about digital safety, what key pieces of advice would you give them about protecting their information?

One crucial piece of advice I would give myself is to avoid sharing personal information on unnecessary websites and refrain from saving credit card data on computers to prevent digital security issues.

What other questions do you have about this topic?

What types of software can help ensure digital security by being embedded within devices or by tracking your data?

• Describe your central learning and key takeaways from the Week 8 Module on Digital Safety. (100 words or less)
  I have honestly never really thought about my digital footprint until this week. I have been very loose with my digital safety in many ways, including passwords, allowing cookies and using public Wi-Fi.  I have been very naïve. I will be using the strategies on creating strong passwords only accepting cookies if needed once I have read the fine print. This week's module has been such great learning and I will take this knowledge with me to teach my son, when my son is old enough, about the importance of protecting his digital footprint.

• If you were to time travel and speak with yourself as a child about digital safety, what key pieces of advice would you give them about protecting their information? (100 words or less)
  Older me would tell younger me to be more creative and diversify my passwords.  I would tell myself, to be in the moment more and the whole world doesn't need to know what I did on the weekend.  Facebook was used more as a place to store photos but there are better and safer ways to do that. Also, I think the importance of asking consent to post photos of people you are with, especially children that are not yours. 

• What other questions do you have about this topic?
  Can “older me” fix any of the choices that “young me” made in regards to my footprint? If so, how? If not, how will this affect us in the future? Career opportunities? When it comes to using your camera (google meets, zoom, video calls), you have to ‘allow’ your computer to use your video and microphone…there is no way around that. How does that work with our digital footprint? Are our videos being recorded even if we didn't record them? What is a highly recommended anti virus software?

I would advise my younger self to stay away from social media until I had more understanding of what implications it could have. I wish I had known the privacy concerns that were there before I started using these platforms.

I would like to understand VPN's better and how they protect your information.

While I thought I was pretty safe on the internet, this module taught me a few things to consider going forward. I was aware of the notion of an Active Digital Footprint but was not aware of the Passive Digital Footprint. I was also unaware of the role that cookies play on websites when accessing different websites. That will be a key takeaway for me. I would always accept the cookies and continue to access the website I was searching. This module has shown me to be more conscious of that. Another takeaway from this module is going to be to consider using a passphrase instead of just a word. That is an interesting idea and something I had never considered before.

If you were to time travel and speak with yourself as a child about digital safety, what key pieces of advice would you give them about protecting their information?

Some key pieces of advice I would share with my younger self include to be conscious of who can see your posts and be aware of what you are posting. I would want my younger self to understand that once it’s on the internet it's likely there forever and unfortunately the world is a scary place. It is important to remember to check and recheck anything to insure its validity. Also to not use the same password for everything! 

What other questions do you have about this topic?

Another question I would have about this topic is how can we avoid scammers? Particularly ones that target the elderly. How can we make them more safe?

If I could chat with my younger self I would say to be cautious about what you share online, once it has been posted it will be there permanently, have strong passwords do not share them with anyone, and always check privacy settings.

If I were able to speak to myself as a child about digital safety, I would tell them to never share their passwords with anyone, always ask for permission when creating accounts and going online. As a child who somewhat grew up in the digital age, I was very diligent in asking for permission, not posting personal or private information or speaking to strangers. I would provide an age appropriate lesson for myself such as the storyboarding activity we practiced in tutorial, to further support my younger self’s understanding of digital safety. 

After completing both the synchronous and asynchronous content for this week, I feel confident in the changes that I will make moving forward to protect my digital safety. To support this, I am searching for a free antivirus software, does anyone have any recommendations?

If I could go back in time I'd tell myself to not use social media at all ( I probably wouldn't listen to me) but it would be worth a try. I used to post and share without a single thought to cyber safety and was definitely left to roam the internet with little supervision. My view has completely changed and I plan on teaching my kids about the importance of their digital footprint.

It's not really a question....more of a statement. I think sometimes sharing passwords with spouses is important. I had a neighbour whose husband passed away unexpectedly and it was an absolute nightmare for her to get access to a lot of her accounts because her husband set up their accounts in his name and she didn't know any of the passwords to access: her internet provider, her cable provider, any of the utilities etc. etc.

The two different types of digital footprints are active and passive. Posting on social media is a form of active digital footprint and collected data is a form of passive digital footprint. I got to review some basic safety tips as well. Lastly, I learned about cyber risk protection, specifically multi-factor authentication. I learned about the three steps which is something you know, something you are and something you have.

If I were to time travel to give myself some advice about digital safety, I would advise her avoid clicking unknown links and to be very careful when dealing with a business interaction online. When I was younger, one of my friends on Instagram was hacked. The hacker messaged me through direct messages to enter a contest and since it seemed like the message was from my friend, I clicked the link. Within a couple days my Instagram account was hacked which was a scary experience because this person has access to all of my personal information as well as to all of my pictures and chats. This is why I would advise my younger self to never click on unknown links.

A question I have is how we can teach younger children (preschool age) about digital safety. A lot of children have access to technology. For instance, some children are given their parents' phones for a bit to play games or watch Youtube videos. How can we teach them about digital safety through age appropriate terms?

Advice to My Younger Self:
I would advise my younger self to be cautious about sharing personal details online, avoid interacting with strangers, and think twice before posting anything. I’d emphasize the importance of strong passwords, using privacy settings, and understanding that online actions can have long-term consequences. Also, I’d encourage asking a trusted adult if unsure about an online interaction.

Questions About Digital Safety:

• How can we effectively manage our digital footprint once information is already online?

• What are the best tools to detect and prevent online scams?

• How can I educate others about digital safety in an engaging way?

Engaging in digital activities, my first priority should be to understand my rights, how to safeguard my private data, and ensure the security of my information as well as others. Managing cyber risk is crucial, and I learned that keeping privacy and security settings updated is an effective way to reduce potential threats.

My key takeaway from Week 8's lesson was learning about protection software, virtual private networks (VPNs), and multi-factor authentication (MFA). This knowledge has helped me understand how to strengthen my digital security.

Additionally, reflecting on my Digital Footprint opened my eyes to the importance of online safety. If I could time travel and speak with my younger self, I would strongly emphasize using strong, unique passwords and enabling privacy settings on social media. I would also highlight the importance of verifying information and being cautious of online scams or suspicious links — especially since I recently encountered a similar situation.

My question regarding cyber risk is:
"What role does digital literacy play in reducing cyber risks, and how can it be promoted among youth?"

We are all aware one way or the other about the rising concerns about digital safety.This module further reinforced the importance of digital safety in daily life. It also reinforced how cyber risks can threaten privacy and security of anyone.I also learned about the role of virus protection, VPNs, and MFA in mitigating these risks.The importance of  managing an active and passive digital footprint.We should be really careful about how our data is being collected by accepting cookies on different sites .It is essential for online safety.The importance of strong passwords and critical thinking when sharing personal data online is something we all should pay more attention to.

Advice to My Younger Self 

The Internet never forgets, be cautious about what you share online as it is once posted, it’s hard to erase. Never share personal details like your address, school, or passwords. Enable security settings on your accounts.Have strong passwords. Be cautious of strangers online and don’t click on suspicious links. Always ask an adult before downloading anything. Remember, the internet remembers everything, think multiple times before you post.

Key Takeaways from Week 8 on Digital Safety

I discovered this week how essential it is to protect your internet safety. Our information is accessible to the entire world whenever we're online, so we must take care of it. Something good that I've learned is not to provide personal information and not to use the same passwords on all of my accounts. Additionally, since we can't really erase things after they have been published, we must watch what we put up.

Suggestions for My Younger Self

"Be smart online!" is what I would advise myself if only I could turn the clock back. Think before you post, use good passwords, and do not share sensitive data. You can't trust everybody you encounter on the net.

I Still Have Questions

How do I know that a website is secure? How do I best create and remember secure passwords?

A key piece of advice I would give to my younger self is to protect all devices with virus and malware protection to prevent cyber risks. I would insist on reading about the app's terms of service before downloading it. It is important to know what personal information is being collected and kept on file in exchange for using the app, who owns your information, and how it can be used.

One question I would like answered is what happens to your personal information over the course of time. Especially with email and other websites that you may lose access to and if that information is ever recoverable.

If I were to time travel and speak with myself as a child about digital safety, the key pieces of advice I would give to them about protecting their information would be to keep personal information private, use strong passwords, think about what they are sharing/posting because it could be there forever, and do not overshare because that information can be personal and when posted, anyone can have access to it.

The Week 8 module on Digital Safety emphasized the importance of protecting personal data, recognizing online threats, and managing a responsible digital footprint. Key takeaways include using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, being cautious of phishing scams, and thinking critically before sharing information online. Maintaining privacy settings and verifying sources also help ensure digital security.

Advice to My Younger Self:

I would tell my younger self to be careful about what they post online because the internet never forgets. Avoid sharing personal details like addresses or passwords, use privacy settings, and always verify links before clicking. Never talk to strangers online and be aware of scams or cyberbullying.

Questions I Have:

1. How can we completely remove personal data from old accounts or databases?

2. What are the best tools to monitor and manage our digital footprint?

3. How do digital laws protect users from data breaches or identity theft?

-Sahaana

I’d tell younger me to be more careful with what I post and who I share information with. Just because something feels private doesn’t mean it is. I’d explain that once something is online, it’s often there for good, even if you delete it. I’d also talk about creating strong, unique passwords and not using the same one everywhere (which I definitely did). Lastly, I’d remind myself to be curious and ask questions about how websites and apps use my data instead of just clicking “accept” without reading.

One question I still have is: How do I know which apps or tools are actually safe and trustworthy to use? It can be hard to tell, especially when even popular platforms collect a lot of personal data. I wonder what specific signs I should look for beyond reading privacy policies, which are often long and confusing. Are there trusted sites or tools that review digital safety and privacy features? I’d also like to know how to balance convenience with security, especially when some safety tools make everyday tasks feel slower or more complicated.

Advice to My Younger Self- I would tell my younger self to think before sharing anything online because once something is posted, it’s permanent. Use strong passwords, avoid oversharing personal details, and never share passwords with anyone. Always verify sources before clicking links or downloading files.

How can educators effectively teach digital safety to students in a way that’s engaging and age-appropriate?

This week, I learned that digital safety goes beyond privacy settings—it requires actively managing my online presence and recognizing potential risks.

Key Takeaways:

• Strong Passwords & 2FA: Using unique passwords and two-factor authentication strengthens security.

• Digital Footprint Awareness: Everything I post, share, or interact with online can impact my personal and professional life.

• Phishing & Scams: Recognizing suspicious emails, links, and messages helps prevent identity theft.

• Social Media Privacy: Adjusting settings ensures my information is shared only with the right audience.

• Reputation Management: My online presence affects opportunities, making it important to post thoughtfully.

• Safe Browsing: Avoiding unsecured sites and public Wi-Fi helps protect personal data.

Understanding these aspects has shown me that digital safety is an ongoing responsibility.

Advice to my younger self: Watch what you post online anything can effect you and will never be actually deleted if you try.

What I learned about maintaining an appropriate image online and the importance of privacy settings.

Advice to My Younger Self
I would tell my younger self to never trust anyone. Never share your password; have a nickname online; don't use your real government name unless it's for a professional matter. I would also tell myself to think before I post.

My Questions:
How should I approach my younger sisters? How can I educate them about digital safety and digital footprint without putting fear in them?

Something I'd tell my younger self is to not post personal information on social media, even if you think it's protected. Once something is posted on the internet, it will be there forever even if you delete it. I'd also tell my younger self to create strong passwords with at least 1 capital letter, at least 1 number and at least 1 special character like a period or exclamation mark.

One question that I have about this topic is how can I ensure that my passive digital footprints is protected? Is there anything being created to prevent this from happening across the internet?

If I could talk to my younger self, I would stress the importance of using strong, unique passwords and changing them regularly. I'd also advise against oversharing personal information online, including on social media. I would teach them the dangers of clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown files, explaining how these actions can open the door to cyberattacks. Lastly, I’d recommend learning about and using privacy settings on platforms to control what personal data is visible to others and enabling multi-factor authentication on important accounts for an added layer of protection. Some Questions I have are as follows - How can I identify trustworthy sources of information regarding digital safety? Are there specific tools or software recommendations for family members or younger users to help them stay secure online?

If I could teach a version of me something about digital technologies, it would be that:

Words are powerful, especially on a platform that can reach many. It is not just important to protect yourself, but also to learn how to interact safely and respectfully with other people too.

I learned how important it is to protect my personal information online, what cyber risks are and how to stay safe online by using tools like antivirus software, VPNs, and multi-factor authentication. I also learned about how my digital footprint and everything I do online can be seen or saved by people online looking for my information. I learned how important it is to use strong passwords, keep accounts private and not share with anyone, and that I am checking my privacy settings often.

If you were to time travel and speak with yourself as a child about digital safety, what key pieces of advice would you give them about protecting their information? (100 words or less)

I would tell myself to be very careful with what I share online, and frankly, that being popular does not matter, and that just sharing content with family can see how I am doing it much better. I would remind myself not to share personal information like my full name, address, phone number, or location. I would tell myself to use strong passwords, never share them with friends, and turn on extra security like two-step logins. I would also remind myself that once something is online, it can stay there forever — even if I delete it.

A key takeaway which I learned from the week 8 module is that there are two types of footprints and that anything we or others post of us and tag people in on social media stays there for a lifetime.

This module made me aware of my own digital footprint and made me take better action towards my digital safety and how I can make sure that I am protecting myself.

If you were to time travel and speak with yourself as a child about digital safety, what key pieces of advice would you give them about protecting their information?

If I were to time travel and speak with myself as a child one piece of advice I would give them, especially in todays world, is to be careful what you post on social media. Be wary of strong political opinions and conversations about it over social media. Employers may look at this and it is very important that you are always conducted in a positive manner.

Also, always make sure that you are changing your passwords frequently!

I’d probably tell my younger self to never share personal info online, even with people who seem trustworthy. I’d emphasize using strong passwords, being careful with what you post, and not clicking suspicious links. I'd also explain how once something is online, it's hard to erase, so think before sharing.

• How do I permanently remove outdated or unwanted online content?

• What are the safest tools or apps for password management?

• How can I recognize more advanced phishing or scam techniques?

Key Takeaways

One key takeaway from this week was recognizing how easily it is for someone to gain access to your online personal information and privacy. It is so important for one to ensure they limit their sharing of personal information as well as be mindful of what online platforms they are providing that information too. It is also essential to ensure you have strong passwords to protect your information and use a variety of passwords for different things.

Advice to my younger self:

One thing I would tell my younger self is how easily accessible everything you post is and how images you send on apps such as snap chat can be shared at a moments notice. Luckily, this is something my mother told me growing up, but I wish I could have spread that knowledge to some of my friends that maybe didn't know and had their personal life shared when they didn't want it to be

I would also advise myself to not click on any suspicious links sent by email or text messages. I once had experienced a various on my computer due to getting a link I wasn't aware of on email and wish I was aware of how easily something like that could happen.

If I could travel back in time, I would tell my younger self to be mindful of the things I share online as social media can be dangerous for younger users. I would emphasize the importance of only have close friends and family online and keeping all social media platforms private.

I would like to know what the biggest threats to digital safety are and how they can be avoided.

I would tell my younger self that whenever she needed to give any form of personal information online (ie. to make an account, sign up for something), to never ever give it or tell anyone else about it. I would also tell her to have that information (ie. passwords) written down somewhere so it's not forgetten, but to make sure it is hidden well too.

Advice to My Younger Self:
I would tell my younger self to be cautious about sharing personal information online. Avoid oversharing on social media and always question the security of websites. Set strong, unique passwords and never share them. Be mindful of what you post because it can last forever.

Other Questions:
How can I better secure my digital accounts beyond just using strong passwords? What are the best tools to monitor and manage my digital footprint?

If I could give my younger self an advice, it would be to be careful what she posts. Once you post it, it is there forever. Be wise with what you share openly, make sure it makes you proud at that moment, and if it is something your mom would be proud of. If not, then it most likely will come and haunt you later on.

Younger Self:

Be super careful about what you share online. Don't give out your name, address, or school info to anyone you meet online. Create strong passwords, and never click on links from people you don't know. If something feels weird or makes you uncomfortable, tell a grown-up right away. Stay safe and have fun, but always protect your info!

If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell her to remember that the internet never dies, so be careful what personal information you share online. Some helpful things that make life easier also come with significant risks. I would tell myself to think twice about what I post and especially what files or websites I open online. The scariest part about your data being compromised is you never know how much of your data someone actually has accessed, and if the information they have cannot easily be changed (your name or address) can remain on the internet indefinitely.