Digital Breadcrumbs

What we post now may prevent us from achieving our dreams in the future. A digital footprint or a digital breadcrumb is a piece of information about us that’s left online even after we’ve deleted it. In this activity, students will brainstorm their dream job and pick out social media posts that they think may prevent them from getting that job.

Click on this video to watch Youth Speak Out facilitator William Desravines Jr. talk about the activity. You can find step-by-step instructions as well as discussion questions below.

Activity

1. Brainstorm content that you may have posted, that you wouldn’t want an employer to see. 
2. Review all of your online content. If you think the content could prevent you from getting that dream job, remove it.

Talk About It

• How does knowing about digital breadcrumbs help you navigate what you do online?
• How can you teach your friends about digital breadcrumbs so that they’re better prepared for the future?