One of the most important issues that the students of this generation must be informed about is their digital footprint.The legacy they leave behind from what they post on social media, what is written about them, even the websites they visit will forever be impressed on the Web. One of the ways that higher education institutions are trying to help students leave a more positive digital footprint is through their Acceptable Use Policies.
What is an Acceptable Use Policy?
According to Webwise.ie, an AUP “is an important document which governs students’ use of the internet at school and covers a wide range of issues surrounding the rights, responsibilities, and privileges – as well as sanctions – connected with computer use. In other words, it is a set of guidelines set in place by an institution that protects students from doing harm to themselves (personally, professionally, educationally) or others. In essence, an AUP can help keep a student’s digital footprint sound and constructive.
These AUPs aren’t limited to K-12 buildings either. Higher Ed Institutions have them as well. At the school in which I work, Cedarville University, the AUP (linked below) is fairly standard. There are regulations on copyrighted material, network security, sanctions for violating the AUP, among other regulations. Again, protecting the student’s digital footprint.
To me, it is more important at the Higher Ed level to protect students, as many employers will vet job candidates by scouring their social media and doing some simple Googling. We have all read stories about candidates not getting jobs because of their digital footprint. Susan Kaleita, who works in Career Services at the University of Arizona commented on this idea: “Pretty much every recruiter is going to search people’s names on the Internet to see what they find before they invite someone for an interview” (as cited in Darrow, 2017, para. 2) So while an Acceptable Use Policy will protect students from plagiarism, cyberbullying, and other harmful materials, it also has its place in keeping a student’s online impression safe and making them more marketable when they enter the workplace.
Links to the Acceptable Use Policies at Higher Ed Institutions
References
Darrow, M. (2017, May 18). A strong digital footprint may aid job prospects. Retrieved from https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/a-strong-digital-footprint-may-aid-job-prospects.
What is an Acceptable Use Policy? A brief explanation. (2017, November 30). Retrieved October 26, 2019, from https://www.webwise.ie/teachers/what-is-an-acceptable-use-policy-2/.
Jared Pyles 
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