Comments, messages, photos, and videos you share and data collected without your consent are set as your digital footprint. The very essence of digital is creating an extension of oneself, a self forever attached to you.
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Do you know one silly picture you posted, instantly regretted and deleted, that doesn’t disappear into thin air? It is hiding in an ambush. Whatever you put online is highly likely to stay there in perpetuity, and that chains back to your identity. Comments, messages, photos, and videos you share and data collected without your consent are set as your digital footprint; you are leaving electronic marks behind. The very essence of digital is creating an extension of oneself, a self forever attached to you.
The social and financial perks of the digital space are just captivating. Some have found the love of their lives, while others closed the biggest deal of their business with a partner they were introduced to online. You are bit by bit putting yourself out there; the more personal you get, the more you make of it. You find like-minded people, you inspire and are inspired. You can also amass followers and business thrives.
You are watched and logged
Nevertheless, the data you establish a presence on, socialise with, make money from, and get a customised experience off could one day be weaponised against you. Being a target of stalking ads isn’t the worst; your very life might be on the line. A negligent comment, a reckless post or one wrong affiliation could ruin your career, and may be your life. This is not just about having your social media accounts reported and unfollowed; every aspect of your life is susceptible.
We have stories of people who lost their jobs, got seriously hated on, and even criminally charged for what looked like a slip online. Shane Dawson, a YouTuber with over 20 million subscribers, was struck in 2020 when old videos of him mimicking black people, using racist language, and making pedophilic comments resurfaced. He was widely discredited; it led to YouTube demonetising his three channels, companies withdrawing their contract, millions unsubscribing him, and stores pulling down his books from shelves. His brand, built over 15 years, was practically ruined.
Another detrimental incident of digital footprint is that of Anthony Weiner, a US congressman who was at the peak of his career when he accidentally posted a link to an image of his private parts on his Twitter page. He immediately took it down. But it had already been noticed by a few, and among them was a blogger who later publicised it. After the congressman’s multiple failed attempts to deny and shift the blame, it spiralled uncontrollably, disclosing his many sexual scandals, which wrecked his political career beyond recall. The list of such tragic stories is long.
We also have local celebrities whose reputations and relationships were damaged because of private recordings that became public. The social as well as economic effect, inevitably, stretches further to the individual's immediate circles. Reckless digital behaviour, for that matter, non-digital behaviour as well, is inexcusable and weaponised against the subject for a reason or two. People don’t seem to understand that the opportunities of the digital world come with a cost, just like anything of value.
You could say the meanest things to people, ruin their day and go on with your life; only karma will follow you. Or, you could apologise and, in an ideal world, befriend those people. But if you emotionally make a demeaning post online, come to your senses and delete it. That’s not where it ends. A good 5 years later, you have built a name as a life coach and your rivals might come up with that old post of yours and jeopardise your career. To err is too human, but to err digitally is catastrophic.
Digital- with a sober mind
Understandably, everyone makes mistakes, but being extra cautious will do much more than save your face. Keep in mind, you are carving an image of yourself to everyone watching: your employer or employee, friends and colleagues, as well as family. You are telling people how to perceive you and draw your legacy. Expected, you want this to be as positive as it could be.
It all comes from seeing what the digital space is really for. This isn’t a venting space; get a therapist for that. There are people of all sorts, and not everyone is sympathising with you. Any misstep or too much revealing could be used against you, and people are sitting tight for the opportunity to ruin what you toiled for. Wisdom lies in treating digital presence with the weight it actually carries. Handle every one of your digital activities with care; insensitive or illegal, check. Assessing how much of your privacy you are willing to give up for electronic recording will help you determine if it is worth it.
