If your child’s digital footprint contains things they might later regret – risky photos, open blog posts, derogatory remarks about someone—it can have quite a serious impact on their digital reputation. Their digital reputation is how people, including family, friends, universities, clubs, and future employers, might see them and make judgments about who they are.

At the same time a positive, creative and engaging online footprint can lead to great things…

Watch this video with your child:

Did you know?:

Online profiles can be viewed by anyone, including credit companies, real estate letting agents, employers, potential partners etc. Your children need to be comfortable with what their material says about them to others – now and in the future.

Remember:

Some tips to offer your child to protect their digital reputation:

• Think before you post.
• Treat others as you would like to be treated.
• Don’t post photos of others without their permission.
• Living your life in a positive, creative way will mean that any pictures, films or stories about you online will present you in a positive way.

We can’t expect kids to fully understand the seriousness of all these consequences (who can?), but it’s important to talk about how to manage them and agree on some guidelines.