Your Digital Tattoo

 

 

Many will be familiar with the concept of a “digital footprint” – the trail of data and information which is left behind from online interaction.

This idea implies that these “digital footprints” are like those we leave on a beach, that will slowly wash away and be lost forever. But is this the reality?

The influential academic and speaker Juan Enríquez coined the phrase “digital tattoo” at a TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference in 2013. The phrase “tattoo” was testament to the online impressions which businesses are now leaving behind. Whether it is from a social media profile, a blog post or information on a website, the idea of a digital tattoo is that the digital information will live online with the organisation forever.

Social media in particular is an online area where billions of throwaway interactions are made every day, often without care. Once a Facebook newsfeed or Twitter timeline is refreshed, posts are instantly out of sight due to new material and often forgotten about. People and businesses often don’t realise the ramifications of their exchanges online.

It is difficult to predict the impact of these digital tattoos in the future. Certainly at present, people’s social media and photographs can potentially cause embarrassment to their employers. Disciplinary action can be taken in the event of inappropriate activity. Employers are also increasingly using social media to vet employees before an interview, which serves as a warning to job seekers.