7 smart ways to protect your digital footprint

Your digital footprint extends far beyond social posts and searches. It’s every click, every share, every online account. And in a world that’s always online, it’s important to know who can see your information and how to keep it protected.

Next, we break down how to take control of your digital footprint without making it complicated. Whether you’re a parent helping your child learn or a teen exploring the internet on your own, these steps will help keep your online identity safe and sound.

1. Know what your digital footprint includes

Your digital footprint includes anything that can be traced back to you online. This can be active (things you post or share) or passive (data collected without you doing anything, like location info or cookies).

Examples of digital footprint sources:

• Social media posts

• Search history

• Email subscriptions

• Online purchases

• App usage and permissions

Search your name (or your child's name) using incognito mode. You may find old accounts, tagged photos, or forgotten profiles that could use a privacy check.

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2. Think before you post (and teach your kids to do this, too)

Oversharing might seem harmless, but it can give away more than you think, like your child’s school, routine, or even your location in real time.

Help your family:

• Keep profiles private and review settings often

• Use nicknames or avoid identifying details when possible

• Pause before sharing anything that reveals personal info

You can also model this behavior by narrating your own thought process: “I was about to post this photo, but I realized our address was in the background.”

3. Review your privacy settings regularly

Apps and platforms frequently update their privacy policies. It's a good idea to do a quarterly check of your settings, especially for any new features that may have defaulted to public.

Make it a family activity:

• Check social media privacy levels

• Review app permissions for location, camera, and mic

• Clear cookies and browsing data in your browser

4. Use strong passwords (and change them up!)

Weak or reused passwords make it easier for bad actors to gain access to your accounts. Protecting your digital footprint starts with strong credentials.

What to do:

• Use a password manager to create and store unique passwords

• Add two-factor authentication for sensitive accounts

• Help kids set strong passwords they can remember and understand why it matters

Watch out for these tricky ways hackers can steal your password.

5. Delete what you no longer use

Old apps and accounts may still hold your data. If you’re not using them, they’re more of a risk than a benefit.

Do a digital clean-up:

• Deactivate or delete accounts that are no longer in use

• Uninstall apps that haven’t been opened in the last 6 months

• Revoke access to third-party apps connected to your accounts

This simple habit can go a long way in shrinking your family’s digital footprint.

6. Watch out for phishing and scams

Scammers can use bits of your digital footprint to make their messages feel more believable. That’s why awareness is key.

Teach your family to:

• Be skeptical of emails or texts asking for personal info

• Avoid clicking unfamiliar links or downloading unknown files

• Report any suspicious messages

Learn more about how to avoid getting scammed online. 

7. Set up digital safety tools at home

Sometimes the best protection is prevention. Digital safety tools can help your child explore independently while giving you insights and controls.

Consider using:

• Parental controls on devices and browsers

• Activity monitoring apps that focus on privacy and education

• Greenlight’s debit card for kids with identity theft protection: digital monitoring and alerts to help safeguard your family’s personal information online.

Stay in control of your online story

You don’t have to bubble-wrap your digital life. Protecting your family’s footprint just means making smart moves and staying a step ahead. With a few simple habits, you can help your kids explore online, knowing you have their back.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

*Insurance offered by Acrisure, LLC is provided by ACE American Insurance Company and its U.S.-based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. www.chubb.com. Additional details can be viewed here. See link for policy information. Insurance Products are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency and are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate.

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