Students learn that the information they share online leaves a digital footprint or "trail." Depending on how they manage it, this trail can be big or small, and harmful or helpful. Students compare different trails and think critically about what kinds of information they want to leave behind.

A digital footprint, sometimes called a “digital shadow,” is the unique trail of data that a person or business creates while using the internet. Nearly every online activity leaves a trace. Some traces are obvious, like a public social media post.

A digital footprint – sometimes called a digital shadow or an electronic footprint – refers to the trail of data you leave when using the internet. It includes websites you visit, emails you send, and information you submit online.

How to Find Your Digital Footprint. To know what personal information is publicly available about you online, go to Google, Bing or any search engine, type your full name, then press ENTER. The search results indicates what information is available about you online.