Imagination is an important part of a child’s growth and learning. It is a marvelous part of how we form our personalities and become capable adults. There are times when we need to point out to our younger children how a movie, dream, or cartoon character is not real. “It’s pretend, not real,” you say to reinforce their understanding of the real world or guard their safety. My question to you now is how often do you continue this lesson as they grow older?

Take a look at the teenagers in your life. Have you mentioned this concept to them? Probably not.

Teens often see their communications as seamless. They shuttle their thoughts between phone, email, social media, instant messaging, and real life interactions – most of the time never skipping a beat. This generation of coming adults has never known a time when these tools were not in existence. Adults have integrated these technologies into their lives, harnessing them into use for both personal and business. They’ve truly become part of each day.

What does it matter? It matters. What we do in the digital realm can have a profound effect on our lives, reputations, and futures. It’s a lesson that many adults are still learning. We are often careless online, thinking of an email or text as only a temporary transaction to get the message across. In truth, that digital evidence can effect:

  • employment
  • personal relationships
  • have financial consequences
  • insurance and legal ramifications
  • and cause safety and security risks to your household

Taking a “no consequences” mentality is causing all of us to say and do things without regard to the damage or misuse of the information. Should you stop using these technologies? Absolutely not. Should you be smart about how you use them? Without a doubt!

I’ll be continuing the examination of the digital footprint you leave. If you thought this was something too technical to worry about – or that a fake “user name” would protect your identity – you should think again. That information has a long life. You have the power to control your information. We all have the responsibility to teach this digital reality to the coming generations.

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