Learning > Digital Footprints

Digital Footprints

What is the Digital Footprints course?

Every day, whether we want to or not, most of us contribute to a growing portrait of who we are online – a portrait that is probably more public than we assume.

This portrait helps companies target content at specific markets and consumers, helps employers look into your background, and helps advertisers track your movements across multiple websites. Whatever you do online, you might be leaving digital footprints behind.

This course gives you an understanding of the different trails that you are leaving on the Internet and how this might affect you. While it is not possible to have zero digital footprints, the first steps toward reducing your digital footprint and managing your digital identity are simple.

What are the course objectives?

Understand what a digital footprint is and its benefits and costs.
Understand how everyday Internet users can build up a substantial digital footprint.
Understand the economics of the digital footprint of Internet users.
Learn if the loss of privacy on the Internet is considered an issue.
Understand the differences in digital footprints made by different devices.
Learn how to manage your digital footprint in your online routine.
Learn who tracks you around the Internet and how do they do it.
Gain an overview of the nuances of what a digital footprint can mean in different parts of the world.
Learn how privacy laws in different parts of the world can impact your digital footprint.

What are the expected outcomes of this course?

Module 1: What is a digital footprint?

Students will be able to articulate a clear definition of a digital footprint and provide examples of both positive and negative consequences.

Module 2: Why did we start leaving such big digital footprints?

Learners will be able to describe various ways in which individuals unknowingly contribute to their digital footprint, such as social media activity, online purchases, and web browsing history.

Module 3: What is the economic bargain for internet users?

Students will be able to discuss how companies and organizations profit from user data, and how this impacts individual privacy and societal well-being.

Module 4: Are digital footprints a problem?

Learners will be able to critically assess the risks associated with data breaches, identity theft, and surveillance, and argue for or against the importance of online privacy.

Module 5: Do different devices make digital footprints?

Students will be able to identify the unique digital footprints created by various devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and IoT devices, and explain how these footprints differ in terms of data sensitivity and potential risks

Module 6: How can I manage my digital footprints?

Learners will be able to implement practical techniques, such as strong passwords, privacy settings, and secure browsing habits, to minimize their digital footprint and protect their personal information.

Module 7: Who is tracking me and how do they do it?

Learners will be able to recognize the various actors involved in online tracking, including advertisers, data brokers, and government agencies, and explain the tactics they use to collect user data.

Module 8: What dynamics are at work in the world of digital footprints?

Students will be able to compare and contrast how different cultures and legal systems view digital privacy and the implications for individual rights and societal norms.

Module 9: How does legislation affect digital footprints?

Students will be able to evaluate the impact of specific privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, on individual privacy rights and corporate practices, and discuss the challenges of enforcing these laws in a globalized digital landscape.

Who should attend this course?

This course does not have prerequisites.

You should attend this course if:

You want to understand what a digital footprint is.
You would like to understand the implications and effects of your digital footprint.
You want to reduce your digital footprint and manage your digital identity on the Internet.

How do I enroll in a course?

How do I access the learning platform as an Internet Society member?

As an Internet Society member, you can log into learning.internetsociety.org with your member login credentials. There is no need to create a new account. If you do not remember your login information, select Forgot Login? to be emailed your username and receive a link to reset your password. Once logged in, you will be able to view the course catalog and select the course you’d like to enroll in.

How do I access the learning platform as a non-member?

Both guests and Internet Society members can access the learning platform. To register as either, click Register on the login box at learning.internetsociety.org. Next, either register as a member or click on the guest registration form to register as a guest. Once you create an account, you can use the credentials you created (username and password) to log into learning.internetsociety.org. Once logged in, you will be able to view the course catalog and enroll in courses.

How do I enroll in a course?

Browse available courses in the course catalog or use the search bar to find the course you would like to enroll in. On each course page, click the “Enroll” button in the top right corner of the page to immediately be added to a course. Once you have successfully been enrolled, you will be able to see the course under “My Courses and Learning Plans”. You will also be able to see information about the course instructor, view the course’s forums, and access any modules that are available. If the course has not yet started, you will not see any modules until the day the course begins.

How do I join the waitlist for a course?

If you are on a course page and the button in the top right corner of the page reads “Enroll (Waiting List)”, this means the course has reached the maximum number of participants able to enroll. You can click the button to join the waitlist for the course and you will be notified if a spot becomes available.

How do I select the right course format?

When browsing the course catalog, you will see multiple versions of the same course available. All courses are available in English, French, and Spanish so first select the right language for you. You can do this by selecting the language of your choice in the left-hand filter in the course catalog or choosing the course that denotes the correct language (EN=English, FR=French, ES=Spanish).

You also have the option to choose the format that will work best for your connection type. All courses have 3 format options: high bandwidth, low bandwidth, and text-based for all connections. You can filter by bandwidth option in the left-hand filter on the course catalog or select the “Additional Information” tab when viewing a course to see which bandwidth connection you have selected.

If you have any questions about which version is best for you, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] to get assistance.

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Self-paced tutorial

Duration:
approximately 20 hours

Available in
English, French and Spanish

Offered online all year

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