👀 Digital footprint

👀 What's a digital footprint?

It's everything about you online: posts, comments, likes, tags, photos friends post of you, usernames, gamer tags, and whatever shows up when someone searches your name. Deleting something doesn't guarantee it's gone, because people can screenshot or save it.

Who might look?

• Colleges: Kaplan surveyed admissions officers at 205 top colleges. Most don't look, but when they do, Kaplan says they are much likelier to find something that hurts an applicant than something that helps.
• Employers: In the same 2018 survey, 47% of employers said they're less likely to interview someone they can't find online at all. A clean, positive footprint beats having none.
• Scholarship committees and college coaches may look too. There's no reliable number for them, so we don't give one.

A real example: In 2017, Harvard took back admission offers from at least 10 admitted students because of offensive memes they shared in a private Facebook group chat. "Private" chats aren't really private, and an acceptance can still be withdrawn.

• Kaplan: College admissions officers and applicant social media (Jan 2024)
• CareerBuilder / Harris Poll employer survey (Aug 2018)
• The Harvard Crimson (Jun 2017) and NPR (Jun 2017)

🧹 Clean-up checklist

1. Google yourself. Use a private or incognito window. Search your full name, nickname and usernames, with and without your town and school. Google's "Results about you" tool lets you ask to remove results that show your phone number, home address or email.
2. Scroll back through old posts. Archive or delete anything with swearing, mean jokes, drinking or drugs, weapons, or anything you wouldn't show a principal.
3. Check your tags. Untag yourself from photos you don't want linked to you, and turn on tag approval where the app has it.
4. Lock down privacy settings. Use the official links below. Check who can see your posts, who can message you, and whether your location is on.
5. Fix usernames and profile pictures. A username should be something you'd say out loud to a teacher. Use your face or a neutral picture.
6. Make a professional email address. Something like first.last@ on a free email provider. Use it for colleges, scholarships and jobs. See Email etiquette.
7. Repeat once a year. Fall of 11th grade is the big one, before applications.

Official privacy help pages

🤝 Etiquette online

Before you post, ask: would I be OK if my grandma, a coach and an admissions officer all saw this?

Emailing a teacher, counselor, college or coach? See Email etiquette and fill-in-the-blank templates.

🛡️ Stay safe

None of this is meant to scare you. These are the most common problems, and every one of them has a fix. If something goes wrong, it's not your fault, and help is available.

Scholarship and financial aid scams

• The FAFSA is free. Never pay to apply for a scholarship or to "guarantee" aid.
• Never share your FSA ID, bank info or a code someone texts you.
• Red flags: "you've been selected" for something you never applied for, upfront fees, or pressure to act today.
• Learn more: Scholarship scams (U.S. Dept. of Education OIG), Avoiding student aid scams (StudentAid.gov). Report one at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Sextortion (someone threatening to share private images)

• What it is: someone gets or fakes a private image of you, then demands money or more images.
• What to do: stop replying, don't pay, screenshot the chat instead of deleting it, block them, and tell a trusted adult right away.
• Take It Down (NCMEC) can help remove images taken before you were 18, without you sending the image to anyone.
• Report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline (1-800-843-5678). The FBI explains more on its sextortion page.
• You won't get in trouble for asking for help.

Phishing

Phishing messages rush you to click a link, "verify" an account or share a code. Don't click. Go to the site or app yourself instead. How to spot phishing (CISA)

Oversharing your location

Turn off location on posts and maps, or share it only with people you trust. Snapchat's Ghost Mode is one example. Post trip photos after you get home.

AI fakes

(More in AI & deepfakes.) Fake images and videos of real people can be made from ordinary photos. The FBI says AI-made sexual images of minors are illegal. Never make or share one, and report any you see. FBI public service announcement (Mar 2024)

Sexting, harassment and bullying

These have their own sections below: Sexting, Online harassment, Cyberbullying and Online grooming and sexual abuse.

🔐 Passwords and account security

If someone gets into your account, they can post as you, message your friends or lock you out. A few minutes of setup protects your footprint.

If you get hacked

• Use the app's "hacked account" or "forgot password" help to get back in, then change your password and turn on MFA.
• Log out other devices, and change the password anywhere you reused it.
• Warn friends not to click links "you" sent.
• If someone used your personal info (like your Social Security number), tell a parent or guardian and visit IdentityTheft.gov.

🎣 Scams that target teens

Red flags for almost any scam: someone asks for money or personal info, pushes you to act fast, pretends to be someone you trust, or wants payment by gift card, crypto, wire transfer or a payment app. Warning signs of scams (CFPB)

Fake jobs

• Real employers don't make you pay for training, equipment or a background check, and they don't ask for your bank info or Social Security number before you're hired. Fake job listings (FBI IC3)
• Watch out for easy "click to rate" or "task" jobs that make you deposit money to "unlock" pay. Work-from-home scams (FBI IC3)

Gaming and gift-card scams

• "Free" skins, currency or giveaways that ask for your login are trying to steal your account.
• Anyone who asks you to pay with gift cards, or to read them the numbers on the back, is a scammer.
• Trade only inside the game's official system.

"Guaranteed" scholarships

• You should never have to pay to apply for or get a scholarship or financial aid. The FAFSA is free. Avoiding student aid scams (StudentAid.gov)

Got scammed? Tell an adult and report it at ic3.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

🎮 Gaming and Discord safety

Gaming and Discord are great for friends and teams. Your gamer tag, clips and server chats are part of your footprint too.

🤖 AI: honest use and deepfakes

Schoolwork

Rules on AI differ by school, teacher and assignment. Ask if it isn't clear, and say when you used it.

College applications

Common App's fraud policy counts submitting "the substantive content or output of an artificial intelligence platform" as your own work as application fraud. Some colleges, like Yale, say using AI to check grammar or brainstorm topics isn't fraud, but the writing must be yours. Each college sets its own rules, so check the policy of every college you apply to. Common App fraud policy · Example: Yale's AI policy

Deepfakes of classmates

• Making or sharing a fake sexual or embarrassing image of a real person causes real harm, and it can be a crime. The FBI says AI-made sexual images of minors are illegal. FBI PSA (Mar 2024)
• The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (signed May 19, 2025) makes it a crime to knowingly publish intimate images without consent, including AI fakes. Since May 19, 2026, apps and sites must remove them within 48 hours of a valid request. Public Law 119-12 (GovInfo) · Signing notice (White House)
• If it happens to you or a friend: don't share it. Screenshot where it's posted, then report it in the app. If you're under 18, use Take It Down and the CyberTipline. Tell a trusted adult and your school.

🧘 Mental health and screen time

The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 advisory says teens who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms, and 46% of teens 13 to 17 said social media makes them feel worse about their bodies. Social media has benefits too, like connection and support. Social Media and Youth Mental Health (HHS)

• Comparison: feeds are highlight reels, often edited or filtered. Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel worse.
• Doomscrolling: set app time limits, or turn off autoplay and non-essential notifications.
• Sleep: charge your phone outside your bedroom, or use Do Not Disturb at night.
• Breaks: plan phone-free time, like meals, homework blocks or time with friends. A Family Media Plan (American Academy of Pediatrics) can help.
• If you're struggling, talk to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

💞 Healthy relationships online

In a healthy relationship, you get privacy, trust and time with your own friends. Digital dating abuse is using texts, apps or tech to control, track or pressure a partner. Types of abuse (love is respect)

Red flags

• Going through your phone, or demanding your passwords
• Tracking your location, or getting angry if you don't share it
• Telling you who you can follow or talk to
• Constant texting, and getting upset if you don't answer right away
• Pressuring you for photos or sexts

You never have to share your passwords or send any photo you're not comfortable with. Save threatening messages, tell someone you trust, and contact love is respect: call 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522. Get help (love is respect)

📱 Sexting

Sexting means sending, receiving or forwarding nude or sexual photos, videos or messages. It's common to be asked: a 2022 research review (Mori et al.) cited by NCMEC's NetSmartz found about 1 in 3 teens (34.8%) have received a sext and 14.5% have forwarded one.

The law: Under federal law, a sexual image of anyone under 18 can count as child sexual abuse material (the law calls it "child pornography"). It doesn't matter that the person took it of themselves or agreed to share it, and a state's age of consent doesn't change that. State laws and school rules vary, so this isn't legal advice. Citizen's Guide to U.S. Federal Law (U.S. Dept. of Justice)

The risks

• Once you send it, you can't control it. It can be screenshotted, saved or forwarded, even on "disappearing" apps.
• Someone can use it to pressure you for more images or money. That's called sextortion (see Stay safe).
• Teens have been suspended from school, sports or activities, and some have faced charges. Sexting (NCMEC NetSmartz)

If an image of you gets shared

• Don't forward it. If someone is threatening you, don't delete the chat: screenshot the threats, the username and the dates.
• Tell a trusted adult. You are not the one in trouble for asking for help.
• Use Take It Down (NCMEC) to help get images taken before you were 18 removed, without sending the image to anyone.
• Report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline (1-800-843-5678) and in the app where it was shared. Is your explicit content out there? (NCMEC)

🚫 Online harassment

Harassment is when someone keeps targeting you online in a way that scares, hurts or embarrasses you. It can look like:

• Threats, or messages that make you feel unsafe
• Stalking: tracking your posts or location, or contacting you after you've blocked them
• Doxxing: posting your address, school, phone number or other private info
• Impersonation: fake accounts pretending to be you
• Unwanted sexual messages, comments or images

What to do

• Document: screenshot messages and profiles, and write down dates and times. Don't reply.
• Block and report the account in the app. Most apps have a report button on each message and profile.
• Tell a trusted adult or your school counselor.
• Threats of violence, stalking, sexual images of minors, or hate crimes are crimes and should be reported to law enforcement. Call 911 if you're in danger right now. Report cyberbullying (StopBullying.gov)
• If it's affecting how you feel, call or text 988 any time.

💬 Cyberbullying

StopBullying.gov defines cyberbullying as bullying over phones, computers and tablets, including sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone, or sharing their private info to embarrass them. CDC survey data (2023) estimate that 16% of high school students were bullied electronically in the past year. What is cyberbullying (StopBullying.gov)

Signs someone is being bullied

• Losing friends or avoiding people, school or activities
• Trouble sleeping, headaches or stomach aches, or skipping meals
• Grades dropping, or feeling helpless or down on themselves

These can point to other things too, so check in. Warning signs (StopBullying.gov)

Don't fight back online. Getting even can get you in trouble too, and the posts become part of your footprint. Cyberbullying can hurt the online reputation of everyone involved, not just the person targeted.

🛡️ Online grooming and sexual abuse

Grooming is when someone, often an adult or an older stranger, builds trust with a young person online so they can take advantage of them. NCMEC says it often starts with compliments, shared interests or likes on your posts. Online enticement (NCMEC)

Warning signs

• Lots of flattery or attention: "You're so mature," "No one gets you like I do"
• Asking you to keep things secret from your parents or friends
• Offering gifts, money, game credits or gift cards
• Asking to move to a private or disappearing-message app
• Asking for photos, or sending sexual images or messages
• Threats or guilt trips when you pull back

It's never your fault, even if you replied, sent something or kept it secret at first. You won't be in trouble for asking for help.

What to do

• Stop replying. Don't send anything else.
• Save evidence: screenshots of the profile, messages and dates. Don't delete the account or chat.
• Tell a trusted adult or your school counselor. Counselors are required to report abuse, which means they'll bring in people whose job is to help keep you safe.
• Report it: NCMEC CyberTipline (1-800-843-5678), plus the app. To remove images taken before you were 18: Take It Down.

Talk to someone, free and 24/7

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: call 1-800-422-4453. childhelphotline.org
• RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 (800.656.HOPE). rainn.org
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.
• If you're in immediate danger, call 911.

⭐ Build a footprint you're proud of

• LinkedIn (age 16+): LinkedIn's rules say you must be at least 16. Add a clear photo, your school, jobs, volunteering and skills. LinkedIn's age rules
• Show your work: a simple portfolio site, art, code, music, a sports highlight video or a project blog.
• Use this site: the Resume builder makes a resume you can share, and your grade checklist reminds you when to clean up.
• Search your name again afterward. The goal is for the good stuff to show up first.

✅ Footprint check

14 quick yes-or-no questions. Your answers save on this device only. They aren't sent anywhere or saved to an account.