Technology Blog #3: Navigating A Digital Footprint in the Gen Z universe
The digital space online has thoroughly evolved over the years, which has opened the gates for many applications and tools to be created. In Chapter 5 of The Connected Educator, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach explains the concept of Social bookmarking (tagging) and various online tools to use for personal or within networks of connected learners. Before reading this chapter, I was unfamiliar with the term “bookmarking”. After further research, I discovered that the term and some of its applications (Delicious, Diigo, and Flickr) are starting to become more outdated, and some of the more modern Bookmarking applications include Reddit and Pinterest (Sproutsocial.com). Pinterest has been one of my favorite forms of bookmarking since middle school, and it has allowed me to organize different areas of inspiration for my life.
My main takeaway from Chapter 5 is the importance of managing a good online reputation by building a positive digital footprint using online tools. With today’s wide presence of social media, this aspect in building and maintaining a digital footprint may be harder for some than others. As a 21-year-old, many others and I in my generation (Gen Z) grew up experimenting and posting on social media, sometimes with no parental guidance, since the concept was a new idea to everyone. Throughout my early adolescent years into emerging adulthood, there have been times when I have witnessed peers and influential internet personalities getting “canceled” online for their online past being revealed to the world. I feel as if now it is crucial to restrict kids and adolescents from certain aspects of the internet, for the sole purpose of censorship, and to also make sure that their own digital footprint is positively influenced.
Choosing to take the course that I am in (exploring your digital portfolio) ties into this chapter as well. I am currently a senior in college, and in the next few days, I will be starting my process of applying to internships for next semester. Along with that, in the upcoming months, I will be applying for grad school, which is my next step toward my overall career goal of becoming a BCBA. Building up a positive, professional digital footprint is very important to me when it comes to taking these next steps, since searching for someone on the internet is extremely convenient and necessary these days when choosing a candidate for a workplace. Honestly, this transitional point in my life has been scary, but managing my own online reputation is a building block to make this next chapter of my life at ease.
Sources:
Vecteezy. (n.d.). Generation Z vector art, icons, and graphics for free download. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/generation-z
Pinterest. (n.d.). Pinterest [Website]. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://www.pinterest.com
Nussbaum-Beach, S., & Hall, L. R. (2012). The connected educator: Learning and leading in a digital age. Solution Tree Press.
My main takeaway from Chapter 5 is the importance of managing a good online reputation. With so much social media presence, it’s easy for past posts to come up and impact future opportunities. That has personally happened to me, so now maintaining a professional digital footprint is something I push to all my friends.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, I agree with your point highlighting how the chapter acknowledges digital footprints and how they can affect your future. Apps like Pinterest allow more creative space, and can show off your best interests, I think it's a great bookmarking tool to create that online rep you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, I really liked reading your post, I think you explained the idea of digital footprints really well, and I like how you connected it to your own experience with Pinterest and social media. I can definitely relate to the part about growing up experimenting online without really knowing the consequences, Gen Z definitely has had to navigate that. I also think it’s smart how you tied this chapter to your next steps with internships and grad school. Managing your online reputation is so important, and your point about it being a building block for your future really makes sense. I liked how you showed that even small tools like bookmarking can help organize your digital life and make it more professional. Overall, your post really made me think about how I can manage my own digital footprint better as I get closer to applying for jobs.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy using Pinterest as well! I like that you pointed out and stressed the importance of keeping a good reputation online as some people you are aware of have been “canceled”. It is great that you are preparing yourself for the next chapter of your life through internship and grad school by building up a reputation.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, your blog was very thoughtful and easy to fallow. I agree with your opinion that our generation grew up experimenting with the virtual society. Unfortunately, with today’s powerful search engines old digital posts still could be recovered, and potentially could impact future professional opportunities. I couldn’t agree more that protecting our online reputation and managing our digital footprint plays a significant part of our personal and professional lives.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog. I agree with ur take that our generation was quite experimental with social media, with very little parental guidance. I got my first phone in 2015, when I had just turned 10 years old. Looking back on it, I was exposed to some pretty crazy things at that young age. I think that it's very important to advocate for the newer generations and emphasize the importance of what a digital footprint can do to your future. Witnessing influencers get "canceled" definitely is an eye-opener to maintain a professional and positive digital presence.