We read briefly about the process of digital permanence and then I allow them move into metaphors. Some prefer "footprint" or "handprint" while others like the notion of "tattoo." We talk about what it means to present yourself online respectful.
However, as we get into the notion of employers "researching" one's digital footprint, I take a different turn from many techies. Instead of warning them, "be careful, in case of future job interviews," I ask students to develop their own questions:
- What does this say about the disappearance of privacy in our world?
- Should corporations have the power to intrude on your personal life?
- If it's a condition of employment, can it truly be voluntary?
- If a person can't bring their personal life into work, why can an employer snoop into an employers personal life?
- If they see my political beliefs and they don't like it, will I still get hired?
- Shouldn't kids have a chance to mess up?
There is a touch of outrage in the questions. Instead of simply saying, "play nice online," my students are asking fundamental questions about the power of corporations and the lack of privacy we experience due to social media.
This feels like a stark contrast to so much of the conversation regarding digital footprint revolves around precautionary steps students should take in order to be hired without ever asking whether it is wrong or right to peak into one's personal life in the first place. I often hear techies talking about how students need to self-market and develop their own brand.
Brand.
Branded.
Digital tattoos.
We've turned an age that is unmistakably turbulent into something that is somehow a fixed identity. Adolescents are at a place where they are learning how to do relationships. They are still taking profile pictures standing shirtless in front of a bathroom mirror. They are still using language they shouldn't use in a professional environment. They are hashing out their ideas about the world in often overstated ways.
But here's the thing: They're kids.
There is a touch of outrage that my students experience in learning that future employers might be spying on the lingering, permanent image of themselves, even when the evolving, improving, progressive version stands before an employer for a job interview. And who can blame them for feeling betrayed? They've been branded for a brand while the adults in their world are offering condescending advice on being nice online.
photo credit: Monroe's Dragonfly via photopin cc
You present a perspective that it not often spoken in this digital world. So many analogies come to mind like, teachers who demand respect from the students within their classrooms when none is given in return. Thanks for the food for thought!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm bothered by the lack of criticism of corporations that invade privacy. It's bothersome at best, unethical at worst.
DeleteI generally agree with everything that you say, ever. In fact, your blog usually mirrors my feelings/thoughts on any given day.
ReplyDeleteThis post is no exception. Thank you for sharing your views.
In my classes, we talk about what is appropriate online. We talk about perspective. We talk about impact.
I also have my students blog. They are creating a digital footprint/handprint/tattoo. Whether they really get it or not, they leave my class with a blog that I hope will be their positive footprint on the world.
My concern is that I'm doing in middle school with a district Google account. Will the high school teachers show them how to move everything from their district accounts to personal accounts after 12th grade? I sure hope so.
Thanks for the kind words. I worry about the same thing. Will the high schools continue with the same vision that I've had? Will the students go out and forge their own digital path?
DeleteLast year a friend of mine helped me develop and implement an online discussion about online identity. This year I want to do more with it. I felt like the logical next step was to get students developing their own questions... thanks for this entry. It got me thinking about it all over again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that approach. I really like the focus on identity rather than simply behavior.
DeleteHey John...Lots of interesting thoughts and I agree with you that corporations should not be allowed to invade privacy (asking for Facebook logins, etc.) but honestly, I have no problem with people googling and seeing what others put out there openly. There is a difference between what we keep private and what we make public. Kids need to know that and we can be outraged that people look at this but it is a reality. In fact, I google people before I am comfortable interviewing them. I would NEVER ask them to look at anything that they have kept private nor honestly, would I want to, but I know I get googled all the time before I go to do a workshop, presentation, etc. I think we have to be aware of what is out there about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI actually recently talk to a group of pre-service teachers and one person tweeted me in the class. I looked through his tweets and he had written some very inappropriate and sexist comments on his Twitter. Is it not better that I would find that before he is hired as opposed to a parent? I am hoping that universities REALLY talk to new teachers about this.
I get that they are kids, but I think that the conversation is very important as I sometimes assume that some of these behaviours that we see from young adults is because we ignored social media when they were in school because everything was banned and blocked.
I think that the distinction between public and private should be made clear to students. Just as the importance of writing a resume was shared when we were kids. Their footprint is becoming their resume right now whether we like it or not; the conversations have to be had.
I agree with your points. My main point, though, is that childhood (and high school) should be a time to make those mistakes. If students are being judged by future employers, that borders on unethical and intrusive.
DeleteUnfortunately, I have to agree with George on this. Bothersome/unethical or not, under current conditions, employers can find anything that is posted openly, just like anyone else can. It's interesting that George Tweeted this article about a counselor being fired for racy photos she taken of her 17 years ago as a model and just now being posted online (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/08/tiffani-webb-new-york-hig_n_1947277.html).
ReplyDeleteAn even larger question looms in this case - can something that was NEVER supposed to show up online be used against you and/or your career? Until current laws change, apparently so.
Some more questions for your students to ponder: If laws were passed to limit what public online information employers could use against you in the hiring/firing process, what should the "statute of limitations" on information be? Anything you post pre-18? Pre-21? Pre-Graduation (pick your level of education on that one)? At what age do we begin reflecting our true character with our online actions, or do we reflect it from the moment we make that first online contribution?
Just to reiterate: I'm not against George on this. I'm suggesting that the public ought to be outraged by employers and their invasion of privacy. The laws need to be changed, especially when companies are allowed to have their own set of privacy rules. I certainly think that things posted before 18 should be protected.
DeleteI think what you're missing, John, is that when you push an anti-corporate, Marxist bias on kids, you have the potential to really screw them up in the future. Life isn't all social justice and sloganeering. Kids will need to work jobs and they need to know that their misbehavior will cost them in the future.
ReplyDelete