Digital Footprint

Which of the following actions contributes to your digital footprint?

• Browsing a website without logging in

• Sending a private message on a social media app

• Watching a YouTube video without interacting

• Switching your device to aeroplane mode

Answer explanation

Even private messages are part of your digital activity and can be stored or accessed, forming part of your digital footprint.

What is the best definition of a digital footprint?

• The number of social media followers you have

• A record of your online activity that can be traced over time

• A summary of your online purchases

• A backup of your online files stored in the cloud

Answer explanation

A digital footprint refers to the traces of data left by users when they interact with digital services.

Which of these would be considered a passive digital footprint?

• Posting a comment on someone’s blog

• Submitting a form on a website

• Being tracked by cookies while browsing

• Liking a post on Instagram

Answer explanation

Passive digital footprints are collected without the user actively giving information, like being tracked via cookies.

A future employer finds an old public post where you made an inappropriate joke. What is the most likely consequence?

• They will ignore it since it was a long time ago

• They will use it to assess your character and values

• They will block your application automatically

• They will ask you to delete the post before proceeding

Answer explanation

Employers often use digital footprints to assess whether candidates align with their company’s values.

What makes a digital footprint potentially long-lasting?

• It disappears when you delete your account

• Other people can screenshot and share your posts

• Your posts are only visible to your friends

• Posts are automatically deleted after 24 hours

Answer explanation

Even if you delete something, others may have already saved, shared, or copied it.

Which of the following is a risky behaviour that can damage your digital reputation?

• Using two-factor authentication

• Changing privacy settings regularly

• Posting aggressive comments in online forums

• Checking your online presence monthly

Answer explanation

Negative or aggressive content can stay online and affect how others perceive you, including employers or schools.

What is a proactive step to manage your digital footprint?

• Accepting all friend requests to grow your network

• Posting content only when you're angry

• Reviewing your tagged photos regularly

• Deleting every account you've ever made

Answer explanation

Managing tags allows you to control what others associate with your name and keeps your footprint positive.

Which is the BEST reason to think before sharing something online?

• It might take too long to delete later

• It could use up too much data

• It could be misunderstood and shared widely

• It might lower your screen time

Answer explanation

Once shared, content can quickly go viral—even if you didn’t mean for it to. Think before you post.

What is the MOST secure way to limit your digital footprint?

• Posting under a fake name

• Setting strong privacy controls and limiting your audience

• Avoiding all social media forever

• Sharing only during school hours

Answer explanation

Adjusting your privacy settings and being mindful of who sees your posts is a realistic and effective approach.

You find a post from five years ago that no longer reflects your views. What should you do?

• Ignore it — it’s in the past

• Publicly explain your change of perspective

• Delete it if possible and reflect on how you’ve grown

• Share it again with an apology

Answer explanation

Deleting outdated content and learning from it shows maturity and responsibility online.