The internet is truly an awe-inspiring creation. The internet offers the opportunity to connect with everyone else in the world. The internet provides each individual display who they want to be to everyone else on the web. The web allows users to have unfiltered access to anything they desire, whether it be social media, library resources, books, movies, shows, games, shopping, etc…So what happens with all that information. Is the collection of our data beneficial to us or is it merely an issue? Does the concept of net neutrality affect our use of the internet? How does our information in the digital world impact our ability to access the internet?
To answer this question, we must start off with an understanding of what a digital footprint is and how intentionally or unintentionally create it. According to the Internet Society, a digital footprint is defined as “all the stuff you leave behind as you use the Internet” (2018). This is full of your browsing history, shopping history, video watching history, anything posted to social media, etc. When we use the internet, there are two kinds of footprints, those that are intentional and those that are not. The intentional footprints are those that include any account we make or any post that we make or any shopping that we do. When we choose our activities on the web, we are making an intentional footprint, because we are in control of the actions we take online. The unintentional footprint works in the opposite way. This footprint is created by actions on the web that occur without us being in control. Examples of these footprints include posting a photo, but a “friend” shares it and posts something in addition to this. Another example is simply someone else posting a photo of you that you didn’t want anyone to see. One other example of an unintentional digital footprint can be based on how users shop. Based on intentional choices made by a user, the site will take information and tailor ads and the user’s experience on the web. This is a kind of passive unintended footprint. For me, I am completely okay with the concept of having a digital footprint. I value that Netflix tailors my viewing experience based on my watch history. I value that Xbox recommends games to me based on games that I have played. I value that Amazon promotes ads that are specific to my taste. Our digital footprint shapes who we are as individuals in the digital world and we should not have to worry about the idea of the net becoming not neutral.
Net neutrality’s purpose is to not have access limitations to the internet and all network traffic should be created equally, regardless of the applications being used (Reardon, 2017). We should be able to have the freedom to use any application we desire without concern of having to be limited by an internet service provider who may charge an up cost for certain applications. If the net is not a place of neutrality, then many services we use regularly will be impacted, such as Netflix, YouTube, and social media sites. This can inhibit the growth of those individuals who make a business off high traffic volume sites, which could potentially inhibit us if they are content providers that we find interesting. The battle of net neutrality is likely going to be around for a while, ultimately looming over our heads. In the meantime, the best thing we can do as digital citizens is to utilize the web appropriately and develop a digital footprint that is positive, which represents our authentic selves. As digital citizens, we should ensure that we support each other in the continual battle of net neutrality.
Below are a few resources to help you understand a bit more about digital citizenship and net neutrality:
Reference
An Introduction to Net Neutrality. (2014) Retrieved from http://www.marshalldata.com/2014/05/an-introduction-to-net-neutrality-what-it-is-what-it-means-for-you-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/
Ashford Universtity. (2018, February 12). How Could the End of Net Neutrality Affect Online Education? Retrieved March 05, 2018, from https://www.ashford.edu/online-degrees/technology/how-could-the-end-of-net-neutrality-affect-online-education
Code.org. (n.d.). Your Digital Footprint. Retrieved March 05, 2018, from https://code.org/curriculum/course2/18/Teacher
Fenlon, W. (2017, November 21). What the threat against net neutrality means for PC gaming. Retrieved March 05, 2018, from https://www.pcgamer.com/how-net-neutrality-affects-pc-gamers/
Internet Society. (2018). Your Digital Footprint Matters. Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.internetsociety.org/tutorials/your-digital-footprint-matters.
Pfeffer, J. (2014, October 21). Rasmussen College. Retrieved March 05, 2018, from http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/main/your-digital-footprint/
Reardon, M. (2017, December 14). What you need to know about the FCC's net neutrality repeal. Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.cnet.com/news/fcc-net-neutrality-repeal-ajit-pai-what-you-need-to-know/