After Jesse Miller’s presentation last week, I started thinking about all these ways that the internet works underneath the surface, and how vulnerable most people are, including myself, to its complexities. From the presentation I started considering my impact online and the trace I have left behind. As a teacher candidate I know I am held to higher standards, so I must be careful with how I present myself in public spaces online.

Some takeaways I will probably share with my students about online presence are:

• Everything you post is permanent, even if you delete it, it can still be retrieved. (Snapchat example)
• It is important to be kind online, even if you feel anonymous, your online behavior can be traced to you.
• There are laws that protect you from your photos being shared with others.
• Connect online with those who you know outside of online spaces. If you meet someone online, never share your location, or any personal information.

These are some of the things I would like to mention to my students for their safety, but conversations about being online will have to occur throughout the school year. I know that another important skill to develop will be differentiating between AI generated images and non-AI images, and having media literacy to think critically.

Write you later,

Ms. Montes