Social Presence and Digital Footprint

Social Presence

Social presence is defined as the ability of users to identify with the community, talk to each other in a trusting environment, and develop interpersonal relationships. You can have a social presence on websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This can affect Students in many ways, it can either help them get in touch with fellow students, ask advice, or get access to information that relates to their studies and course material. It can also have an adverse effect if your social presence is negative; bullying for instance will not be tolerated.

Digital Footprint

On the Internet a digital footprint is the word used to describe the “footprints” that people leave online. Using the internet will slowly form a "digital footprint" of information you have shared online, this can be information that is transferred online like e-mails and attachments, uploading videos or digital images or any other form of transferring information. This can affect students, because they have quite a large digital footprint, as they're constantly using the internet to send emails, hand in work, and use websites.

To maintain a positive social presence and digital footprint that they can be proud of, students should avoid actions which are considered negative while online, and refrain from harassing others online.