Your online data | Year 6 Computing PDF Download

What is your online data?

• Data is synonymous with information. Your online data refers to the information and details stored about you on the internet.
• Every action you take online generates data that gets stored and collected.
• When you interact online, such as commenting on social media posts, watching videos, playing games, or sharing pictures, you leave a digital trail.
• Providing personal details when signing up for online accounts contributes to your online data.
• Web browsers track your search history using small files called cookies.
• Each time you pause to watch a short video, the platform records that activity.
• This trail of data is known as your digital footprint, reflecting your online activities, preferences, habits, and behavior.

Creating Your Online Reputation

• Digital footprints are enduring traces of online activity that are challenging to erase once established. Every online action contributes to your digital footprint, persisting even if you delete content. You cannot selectively control what remains, meaning both positive and negative interactions coexist.
• Your online conduct forms a reputation that may not always align with your offline persona. The continuous construction of this digital image underscores the importance of mindful online behavior.
• Implications of your online reputation are significant, particularly when seeking employment or forming new relationships. Past actions, whether commendable or objectionable, remain accessible to others.
• Prior to sharing content or engaging online, thoughtful consideration of your online reputation is crucial to shaping a positive digital presence.

Paying for Media Content 

Usually, when we wish to participate in an event or enjoy media content, we are required to make a payment for access.

• To watch a film on TV, we typically need to subscribe to a streaming service, purchase a TV license, or endure advertisements.
• Attending a live sports event necessitates buying a ticket.
• Reading the latest book involves purchasing a physical copy or paying for a digital download.
• Making phone calls incurs charges for usage.

What Happens to Your Online Data?

Your digital footprint holds valuable information about you, such as:

• Your age
• Your likes and dislikes
• Your favorite places to visit
• Your preferred activities and games
• The types of videos you watch frequently

This profile of your online behavior is extremely beneficial for companies and organizations aiming to tailor their offerings to individuals like you.

Is Online Content Truly Free?

The internet provides us with a multitude of amazing free applications (apps) that allow us to enjoy various activities such as playing games, taking quizzes, watching videos, listening to music, messaging, photo editing, and online shopping.

• Apps are programs or tools used on digital devices.
• There are free social media tools available for building profiles and communicating with others.

Cost of Providing Free Digital Services

• Developing and maintaining digital tools and platforms can be quite costly. So, how do companies manage to offer us access to these services for free?
• Social media companies gather the data you provide while using their platforms and sell it to advertising companies that create ads for product sellers.
• This data is used to tailor advertisements based on your online activities, such as searches on websites or shared photos on social media.
• It may sometimes feel like your device can anticipate your needs, but in reality, it's simply analyzing your digital footprint.

Understanding Terms and Conditions

• When we post or share something online, we might assume we own that content, but it's more complicated than that.
• The long list of rules you scroll past when signing up for an account are called terms and conditions (T&Cs).
• These terms outline what you agree to by using the platform, covering important aspects like privacy and how your data and content can be used.
• By agreeing to the T&Cs, you give consent for your data to be used in various ways. It's tempting to skip through and click "agree," but it's worth understanding what you're consenting to.
• Key points to consider include:
  • Data: Some social media platforms and apps sell your information to other companies for advertising purposes. It's your data, so don't just click "agree" without understanding the implications.
  • Photos: While most platforms don't claim ownership of your pictures, posting them gives the platform consent to copy, store, edit, and share them. Setting your profile to private can help prevent this.
  • Location: Many apps track your movements using location services. Since it's unsafe for this personal data to be public, you should review your privacy settings with a trusted adult.
• T&Cs are often long, complicated, and written in difficult language. If you get confused, ask a trusted adult for help.