The topic of digital footprints has once again taken over social media in a year full of screenshot exposés, viral call-outs, and old tweets that keep coming up like restless ghosts. The wake-up call has been loud for many, as people, from celebrities to regular users, are suddenly paying attention to their online past.
When someone discovered a six-year-old Facebook comment, a well-known influencer lost a brand deal, sparking the resurgence of the trend. The internet quickly became a virtual court, and people started looking through their own pages to see what problems might be lurking in their timelines. The internet never forgets. That was the clear message.
What is a digital footprint, then? It’s essentially the trail of everything you post online, including likes, comments, Google searches, direct messages, and even videos you pause on TikTok. Every action generates data, and data is power in the modern world.
Everyone seems to care now.
Before hiring someone, employers are increasingly looking through social media profiles. Influencers are tidying up their timelines. Because screenshots spread more quickly than excuses, even students are locking their accounts. People now “research” your Instagram before providing you with their number, so relationships aren’t excluded either.
According to experts, digital footprints are important because they influence your online reputation, and in the current digital era, rumors spread more quickly than facts. A thoughtful, purposeful online presence can lead to unexpected opportunities, but one poor post can cost you opportunities.
Young people are being advised to reconsider posting, change their privacy settings, and create pages they won’t regret in five years as a result of this trend’s resurgence.
One thing is certain as the internet develops further: your digital footprint has become ingrained in your way of life. How cautiously you walk will determine whether it works for you or against you.
