Online actions can leave a trace — Computing, 4–6
Things shared online may be saved or seen again, even after they disappear from your screen.
A digital trace can remain
When you send a message, choose a name or post a picture, a service may keep information about that action. This is called a digital footprint. It is not a footprint on the floor; it is a record that may be stored, copied or shown to someone else.
Why pause before sharing?
A picture or message can travel farther than you expect, and you may not control every copy. The problem is that a quick choice can tell strangers something about you or someone else. Pausing gives you time to ask: is it kind, private and really meant to be shared?
Think about a photo
You take a funny photo of your friend. First, stop instead of pressing send. Next, ask your friend and a trusted adult whether the photo is okay to share. If your friend says no, keep it private and delete it from the message screen. Their choice matters.
Gone from the screen does not mean gone everywhere
It is reasonable to think a message is gone when you delete it and cannot see it. But another person may have read it, taken a screenshot or saved a copy first. Deleting can remove your view, but it cannot always remove what others already received.
Your trace appears in many places
A game score, a photo in a family group or a comment in a learning app can all add to a digital footprint. Before you tap, ask a grown-up when you are unsure. Choose information and words that you would be comfortable showing again later.
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