Digital footprints
A digital footprint is the data trail left when we use the internet.
- Active footprint: data we share on purpose: posts, photos, comments, emails, online forms.
- Passive footprint: data collected without our active input: cookies, browsing history, IP address, location, app usage.
Footprints can be used to show targeted ads, to track us, and even by criminals. They are very hard to delete completely because copies and backups may exist.
To keep it small: think before posting, use privacy settings, clear cookies, log out on shared computers, and give apps only the permissions they need.
Digital society and digital citizenship
Today most parts of life use digital technology: online classes, UPI and net banking, e-commerce, ticket booking, e-governance (like DigiLocker), telemedicine and social media. This is the digital society.
A digital citizen (netizen) uses these tools safely, ethically and responsibly: respecting others, protecting data and following laws.
Net etiquette (netiquette)
- Be ethical: no copyright violation (use or credit others' work properly); share only well-checked information.
- Be respectful: respect others' privacy (don't share their photos, numbers or details without consent); respect diversity of views, culture and religion.
- Be responsible: avoid cyberbullying; don't feed the troll (ignore people who post to provoke); don't overshare personal details.
Communication etiquette
- Be precise: respect the reader's time and data; keep messages short and to the point; don't send large attachments without need.
- Be polite: use respectful words even when you disagree; avoid ALL CAPS, which reads as shouting.
- Be credible: write what you can support; your messages and comments reflect your trustworthiness.
Social media etiquette
- Choose passwords wisely: long, strong, different for each account; enable two-step verification.
- Know who you befriend: be careful with strangers and fake profiles.
- Beware of fake information: check facts before forwarding.
- Think before uploading: photos and location tags can reveal a lot; once uploaded, control is lost.
- Use privacy settings to control who sees your posts.
Key formulas and definitions
- Digital footprint = active (you share) + passive (collected)
- Netiquette: Ethical, Respectful, Responsible
- Communication: precise, polite, credible
- Social media: strong passwords, verify before sharing, think before uploading
Worked examples
1. Classify as active or passive footprint: (a) posting a reel (b) cookies from a news site (c) filling a college form (d) location history on a phone.
(a) active (b) passive (c) active (d) passive.
2. A classmate posts a joke photo of you without asking. Which netiquette rule is broken?
Being respectful: respecting privacy. Personal photos should not be shared without consent.
3. Someone keeps posting rude comments to make people angry. What should you do?
Don't feed the troll: do not reply, report and block the account, and tell a trusted adult if it continues.
4. Give three ways to reduce your digital footprint.
Use privacy settings; give apps only needed permissions; clear cookies/history and log out on shared devices; think before posting.
Common mistakes
- Thinking deleting a post removes it forever. Copies and screenshots may remain.
- Thinking only posts are footprints. Passive data like cookies and location also count.
- Forwarding news without checking it. This spreads fake information.
- Using the same simple password everywhere.