Who is looking up who?

The internet can be scary these days! When I look up myself on google, not a lot comes up but that’s how I want to keep it. When I used to have Facebook, I found that it was not very private, and when I did look up my name on google when I did have Facebook, there were a lot of my pictures of myself, my family, my pets, etc. and I did not feel comfortable that everyone could see it. I like being more private and knowing that someone can just search my name and see who I am or my family, that creeps me out! Now that I have deleted Facebook, I do not see myself pop up as much on google. The things that pop up on google when I search my name are my blog, spring convocation, and that is all! I was surprised not even my Instagram came up. 

I do believe that everyone has a digital footprint and maybe that is a good thing, but we were all young once and maybe said or did something that we regret on the internet, and I do not believe that there should be terrible shaming if they did it once. But, if they continue to do or say the same things on the internet, then that might just be their personality, so maybe it is okay if someone calls them out for it. 

What I am trying to say is, we all make mistakes and we should learn from those mistakes - not to have people bully or cyber-shame others because of something they did 10 years ago or that they regret, but if it is an ongoing situation that keeps happening on the internet, then no I do not feel bad for them as they are making that choice. 

I think we all have to watch what we post, especially if we are teachers. Our students can easily find us by searching our name or going on different social media platforms to find us. In my first year of university, I remember hearing all the time “you are a teacher 24/7” and that has stuck with me until now. After school, weekends, and summer break we are all still teachers so it does matter what we post or do not post online as it will always come back in a positive or negative way. As a teacher I want to educate my students on what they put online as they all have a digital footprint from the time they get technology.