You are welcome to digital footprint seminar at Graceland college Enugu organised by Global society for Anti-corruption Nigeria.    on 18/10/2018

We are fascinated with social media, including children. But due to their tender age, they are exposed to risk from the internet. The Regional director of Global society for anti corruption. Mrs Amaka Nweke disclosed this while interacting with students of Graceland College Enugu.

“ Digital footprint.The internet never forgets is used to describe the trail and traces that people leave behind online on social media, website and chat.Digital footprint is your online identity,  it builds online reputation and impression depending on the things you do online. And it is important to be aware of this because anything posted online is permanent. Information from this trail can be used by universities, employees, and law enforcement agencies, So it is important to make sure that there is no inappropriate content about us online and that our digital footprint is positive. Because the information we provide could be misinterpreted or used for identity theft.

” So the problem we wish to address is the inappropriate use of the internet. It has been observed that the young ones use the social media wrongly which expose them to internet fraud. Internet which should be used by students to develop themselves through research has been turned into a platform where negative vibes are learnt. Social media is the order of the day for teenagers and this can lead them astray if not properly guided. Since most of them are ignorant of the dangers of social media.we are telling them to think before they post”.

While speaking on digital footprint an internet expert from Global society for anti corruption.    Mr Paschal Onyekwelu advocated for protection of children against fraud, fake news and harmful content

“ Building a good child builds a better future. So making them understand the implication of what they post on the social media will prevent children from falling victim to internet crimes.”

In his contribution  another digital expert Mr Joseph Nnamdi from GSAC urged students to focus on educational and motivational contents relevant to their studies

“ Students should ask themselves questions about what they do online, Is it inspiring?, Is it helpful?.  There are things we consider before we post. So students should engage in contents that are truthful, kind, educational and motivational”.

Meanwhile the interactive seminar attracted comments from the students. Some of them have this to say.

Emmanualla Ogbonna “ I understand that we should not be posting unnecessary things on Instagram.things that are not useful on the internet. So I thank GSAC for giving us this knowledge”

Arinze Edeji “ before you post something on the internet, Facebook, that you have to think before you post.I am grateful to GSAC for the teachings”.

Caylene mole. “ I understand by digital footprint you should be careful of things you post on the internet because they can trace you down and affect your future and lead to bad places. I thank GSAC for the seminar”.

Chikamso Abawo “ I feel that we should not post things that don’t benefit us on the internet. We should not send fake things. I am grateful to GSAC for the enlightenment”.

Kamso Nwankwo “ what you post on the internet can haunt you, it can chase you down. So we should not post anything on the internet. We should think before we post. GSAC did well by coming to guide us about the internet”.

Denzel Mmonago “ These days they don’t interview you for job.they basically pull up your social media. It’s a more honest way of knowing an individual.and when they do this if you didn’t think properly before posting on social media. It will affect you. So I commend GSAC for showing us how to use the social media”.

Also some of the teachers expressed their view on internet security

The principal Graceland College Mr Ifeanyi Uzochukwu

“ I think young people because of their age and level of maturity are easily moved by what they see. People can believe that what they see online is true but it is not true. Because the internet is full of jargon.people opinions.so when you see a post you need to verify. For young ones when you are posting pictures, content be very careful. We appreciate GSAC for the interesting seminar”.

>Mrs Nwamaka Okere is the dean of studies Graceland college.

“ Today’s children have internet awareness and parents buy tablets and laptops. Parents please monitor your children, See what they are doing on the internet.They are vulnerable, we have cyber bullies, intimidating them, Be careful how they go on the internet. Let them read books, Even if they want to do research, monitor them. We commend this relevant sensitization by GSAC ”.

Capturing the significance. The president of Global society for Anti corruption. Mr Franklin Ezeona explained that the internet security awareness is to prevent students from falling victim to social media crimes, abuses and violations.

“ The aim is to catch them young and push their interest to positive ways of embracing the internet. Because if they grow up with the wrong conception that internet is the place to exhibit nuditity, make false claims and commit online fraud, it will be disastrous for the society in future. So we are trying to educate them and make them embrace the positive aspect of digital world”.

The seminar featured lectures and Interactive sessions on digital footprint.