Your digital footprint

Understanding the trail of data you leave behind every time you go online

Name:

Date:

Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
What is a digital footprint? A) The trail of information you leave behind when you use the internet B) A shoe print that has been photographed C) An icon on your phone D) A type of computer virus
Answer:
2
True or false? Once something is posted online, it can be very hard to remove completely. A) True B) False
Answer:
3
Which of these adds to your digital footprint? A) All of these: photos, comments, likes and online accounts B) Only photos C) Only comments D) Only accounts you create
Answer:
4
What is a digital footprint? A) The trail of data you leave online B) A shoe print on a screen C) A printed photo D) A type of file
Answer:
5
Why should you think before you post? A) Future schools, employers and others may see what you share B) Posts only last 24 hours so it does not matter C) Nobody can ever see what you post D) Posts disappear after a year
Answer:
6
Match each action to whether it makes your footprint BIGGER or smaller. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Posting a public selfie, Making your account private, Sharing your school name, Logging out when you finish Right: Bigger, Smaller, Bigger, Smaller
Answer:
7
True or false? Even 'anonymous' accounts can sometimes be traced back to a person. A) True B) False
Answer:
8
Which of these is the BEST way to control your digital footprint? A) Check privacy settings, think before posting, and only share with people you trust B) Post everything publicly and hope for the best C) Make 20 accounts so nobody can find you D) Use the same password everywhere
Answer:
9
True or false? Deleting a post you regret is always enough to remove it from the internet completely. A) True B) False
Answer:
10
Which is the smartest thing to ask yourself BEFORE you post something online? A) Would I be happy for my family, school and future self to see this? B) Will this get me lots of likes? C) Is anyone watching me type? D) Is my battery full?
Answer:

Answer key

Your digital footprint · for parents and teachers

1
The trail of information you leave behind when you use the internet
A digital footprint is the trail of data you leave online - posts, photos, comments, likes, searches and accounts.
2
True
Yes. Posts can be screenshotted, copied or saved by others before you delete them. That is why thinking first is so important.
3
All of these: photos, comments, likes and online accounts
Every action online adds to your footprint - posts, photos, likes, comments, searches, accounts, even how long you spend on a page.
4
The trail of data you leave online
A digital footprint is the trail of information you leave behind when you use the internet.
5
Future schools, employers and others may see what you share
What you post can be seen long after you post it. Future schools, employers and others can search and find it. Pause before posting.
6
Posting a public selfie → Bigger; Making your account private → Smaller; Sharing your school name → Bigger; Logging out when you finish → Smaller
Posting and sharing add to your footprint. Privacy settings and logging out reduce what gets stored about you.
7
True
Yes. Things like IP addresses, email logins, photos and clues in posts can sometimes be used to trace 'anonymous' accounts.
8
Check privacy settings, think before posting, and only share with people you trust
You control your footprint by using privacy settings, pausing before posting, and choosing your audience carefully.
9
False
Deleting is a good first step, but others may have copied, screenshotted or shared the post. It is not always fully removable.
10
Would I be happy for my family, school and future self to see this?
A great test is to ask: would I be happy for trusted adults, my school and future me to see this? If not, do not post it.