A big part of our world is online and will continue to be so, whether it’s social connection, entertainment, inspiration, professional pursuits, or problem-solving. The first impression we make on others (and vice versa) is often online. We live in a search engine culture with information about people, things, and events readily available as long as we have internet access. Our “digital reputation” comprises all the information available online—not just the good stuff we want people to see—and it impacts how others perceive us. There is no magical division between online and offline, and our digital reputation is not separate from our real-world reputation.
A digital reputation is all the online information trails we leave. Just as our brain integrates information from different sensory systems to construct meaning, people synthesize all the information they find about us and form opinions about things like trustworthiness, personality, and even popularity.
When people form opinions, however, they rely more on what they already know and believe than on new information. New information is categorized and interpreted to fit with what’s already there and people attribute traits to others based on their experience. Social media posts about partying at college can be interpreted as fun-loving or irresponsible, depending on who’s looking.
Children and teens are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of digital reputations due to two factors: 1) their limited understanding of how the internet and social media apps work, and 2) brain maturation.
The internet is part of every child's life, either directly or indirectly, and it is increasingly a hub for social connectivity. Young users focused on the social benefits of connecting with their friends are often not aware of how their online activities affect their digital identity (Buchanan et al., 2017).
Young brains don’t reach maturity until sometime in the mid-20s. The prefrontal cortex is one of the last parts to develop, and it is responsible for prioritizing, planning, and making good decisions, which is part of why teens do some dumb and risky things. This developmental process also contributes to young people’s focus on the near-term social benefits of their decisions rather than longer-term consequences (NIH, 2023). FOMO and cancel culture in the rapid-fire world of social media can contribute to emotion-fueled decision-making and further limit cognitive appraisal.
Because they are works in progress, young people need specific tools and strategies to guide their decisions by decreasing reactivity and increasing thoughtful intentionality. Understanding that every online interaction—personal and any that sound thoughtless, mean, or hurtful—becomes part of their permanent public record is a first start, but it won’t be motivation enough to offset emotional posting. Strategies that help teens hit the “pause button” before the “send” button are more powerful and effective.
Given the importance of maintaining a positive digital reputation, teaching children about the impact of their online behavior is one of the first lessons in digital literacy. Here are some strategies to get you started:
While it’s easier not to make mistakes than to clean them up, life doesn’t work that way. Experience is a great teacher. Don’t beat yourself up over what you “should have done." Instead, be glad you’re thinking about it now.
Digital reputations are an integral part of our online identities. Prepare your kids for success in a connected world. Learning about digital reputations should begin as soon as a child can interact with online spaces, whether TikTok or Roblox. Managing a digital reputation is critical in safeguarding future opportunities and maintaining a positive online reputation. By fostering awareness and teaching proactive management strategies, we model more mindful behaviors and help children navigate their digital worlds more wisely.
References
Buchanan, R., Southgate, E., Smith, S. P., Murray, T., & Noble, B. (2017). Post no photos, leave no trace: Children’s digital footprint management strategies. E-Learning and Digital Media, 14(5), 275-290. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042753017751711
NIH. (2023). The teen brain: 7 things to know. Publication No. 23-MH-8078. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know
How to Protect Your Child's Digital Reputation
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12.05.2024
A big part of our world is online and will continue to be so, whether it’s social connection, entertainment, inspiration, professional pursuits, or problem-solving. The first impression we make on others (and vice versa) is often online. We live in a search engine culture with information about people, things, and events readily available as long as we have internet access. Our “digital reputation” comprises all the information available online—not just the good stuff we want people to see—and it impacts how others perceive us. There is no magical division between online and offline, and our digital reputation is not separate from our real-world reputation.
A digital reputation is all the online information trails we leave. Just as our brain integrates information from different sensory systems to construct meaning, people synthesize all the information they find about us and form opinions about things like trustworthiness, personality, and even popularity.
When people form opinions, however, they rely more on what they already know and believe than on new information. New information is........
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