What is it about?
There is a lot of concern about children's use of social media. Many people worry that children are creating digital footprints that will harm them in the future. They might miss out on jobs, or have university applications denied because of something they put online. The assumption is that children do not understand the potential dangers of their online behaviour. Through focus groups with 33 10-12 year olds this research found that children understand cyber safety and have a number of strategies to minimise their digital footprints. This small scale exploratory project would be of interest to educators, parents and policy makers.
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Why is it important?
Our findings show that children have purpose and agency with their online behaviour and are savvy in their use of social media. An understanding of this is useful for giving children the information needed to create a positive digital footprint that could be an asset rather than a liability for their future.
Perspectives
It was excellent to have the opportunity to speak to children about what they know and do online. Often studies emphasise children's vulnerability and their lack of understanding about the dangers of the internet and social media. It was surprising to find how much children knew and the clever strategies that they employ to keep safe online. I hope this article offers an interesting and alternative perspective to discussions of children's use of digital technologies.
Rachel Buchanan
University of Newcastle
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Post no photos, leave no trace: Children’s digital footprint management strategies, E-Learning and Digital Media, September 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2042753017751711.
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