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Teens benefit when they invest in their online reputations

Some of the hype creating fear among teens that digital footprints imperil scholarship and job prospects is overblown.  NetReputation.org provides students a resource that helps enhance their online reputations.

It seems as if there are an increasing number of headlines warning about employers asking job seekers for Facebook passwords and that more colleges and employers are requesting applicants’ Facebook passwords than ever before.

This summer, I talked to high school students about a range of social networking topics and the most common concern was that that their future job offers and college scholarships could be jeopardized by an evolving set of online reputation norms.  “Scaring people into safe behavior” has both adverse micro and macro-level consequences, as Anne Collier thoughtfully explains in the article Why technopanics are bad.

As members of the online community, we should increase our efforts to explain how our online reputations are as important and helpful as well-written resumes.  Putting aside the issue of privacy, a strong and positive  online reputation can provide a net-savvy job applicant a competitive advantage if a prospective employer “Googles” the applicant.

Thoughtful and articulate posts and pictures reflecting a commitment to meaningful community service work, as examples, can help contribute to the quality of online discourse and allow others to see one’s passions and contributions.

To help answer questions about how teens can proactively and positively impact their online reputations, the nonprofit where I work (Net Literacy) recently launched www.netreputation.org, a resource to help teens implement strategies that enhance their online reputation.

We’ve started with a couple dozen ways to create a positive online reputation, a list of website resource, and a growing selection of videos that we created to help teach middle school and elementary school students about reputation-related topics.   Click on the video image below to see our work.

The Net Reputation site continues to evolve and I welcome suggestions and content recommendations that will help teens feel engaged, empowered, and confident about their future.

Let’s continue to coach teens to prudently manage their online privacy and follow the “golden rule” when posting, blogging, texting, and tweeting.  While teens should understand the consequences of making poor decisions, discussions about online reputations should accomplished with civility and from the perspective that the Internet is a positive and empowering place.

Please email your content suggestions for the Net Reputation site to me at danielkent@netliteracy.org.  I will gratefully recognize all contributors.

Daniel Kent is president and executive director of Net Literacy, an all-volunteer, student-run nonprofit that bridges the digital divide through its digital literacy and digital inclusion programs. Net Literacy has provided increased computer access to over 170,000 individuals, cited by the E.U.’s Commission on Digital Inclusion’s Report for best practices, highlighted in the National Broadband Plan presented to Congress, and endorsed by Internet associations representing 270,000 Internet companies on six contents. Kent has authored several whitepapers on Digital Inclusion, Digital Literacy, Broadband Adoption, and other technology issues.

Categories: Cell Phone, Reputation

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