Today, children grow up online in ways previous generations never did. Alongside the more visible online risks, there is another important issue that is often overlooked: their digital footprint. With every click, scroll, post or app download, they begin building it, often without even realising it.
Summary
- A digital footprint is the trail we create when we go online.
- Digital footprints are created by actions we take and by data that gets collected about us.
- Children start creating digital footprints young, which grow along with them into adulthood.
- Taking action now can help your child become a more mindful internet user.
- Explore a range of resources for further support.
What is a digital footprint?
A digital footprint is the trail your child creates online. It is like an online shadow made up of bits of data left behind whenever they use a connected device, app or website.
It grows with every website they visit, post they share, form they submit, app they install and every click or scroll. Some of this footprint is visible, while some of it happens quietly in the background.
What creates a digital footprint?
A digital footprint is made up of different types of information linked to your child’s online activity.
Active footprint
This includes things a person chooses to share like:
- posts
- comments
- reviews
- form entries
- messages
- uploads.
Passive footprint
This includes information collected in the background like:
- IP addresses
- cookie data
- location information
- unique codes used for advertising and tracking.
It can also include device-related information, such as device type and screen size, along with patterns in how someone uses a device, such as where they click or how they scroll.
💡 Did you know?
In some cases, apps and platforms can learn far more than most people realise from these small clues. For example, an app could detect that someone is tired or distracted simply by analysing their scroll speed or inaccurate taps.
Why does this matter for children?
Much of children’s digital footprint is created without them even realising it. In many cases, it begins before they understand how online systems work, and before they are old enough to shape it themselves.
Here are four reasons why a child’s digital footprint deserves closer attention.
Deleted data may not disappear straight away
Even when you delete a photo, message, or social media post, it may not vanish immediately. Even though you and others can no longer see it, parts of it can still remain for some time in internal systems or backups. That means a digital footprint is not always easy to erase, even when you try to clean it up later.
True anonymity online is very hard to achieve
Complete anonymity online is much harder than many people think. That is because systems can combine many small digital traces into one much bigger picture. Accounts, location data, IP addresses, device details and repeated daily routines can all help build a very accurate picture of a child or family.
For example, if a phone spends every night at one home address and appears each weekday at the same school location, a system may not need a name to make a strong guess about which family or child is connected to that device.
Data gets recycled
Another reason this matters is that data often gets recycled online. Once personal information about you or your child leaks (like in a data breach involving an online shop or service, for example), it rarely disappears for good. It can be sold, resold and reused for years. That is one reason scam messages today can still be based on data that was exposed a long time ago.
There are also companies known as data brokers. Their business model is to collect information from apps, websites and other online sources, combine it into detailed profiles, and sell those profiles to other organisations.
Small details can be misused
Even details that seem harmless on their own can become useful in the wrong hands. A school name, a favourite playground, an after-school club, a class photo or the name of a football team may sound minor. But these are exactly the kinds of details that can make phishing, impersonation and other targeted attacks feel more believable and personal.
How to reduce your child’s digital footprint
When you post something online, it is not only seen by other people. Platforms and apps may also keep that information, connect it with other details and use it to build a bigger picture over time.
Be careful with personal details. Not every app, platform, form or AI tool needs the same level of access or information. Share only what is necessary, and think twice before giving away details like full names, schools, routines or exact locations.
Search your child’s name, usernames or old profile details and check what is publicly visible. It can be surprising how much information remains online long after it was first shared.
Review the apps and accounts your child uses. Switch off anything that is not needed, such as location sharing, public profiles, microphone access and ad tracking.
A good rule of thumb is simple: if a feature is not necessary to use the app or platform, switch it off. If the app does not allow you to turn these features off, approach continued use with caution!
Create unique passwords for each account. It is also a good idea to store them in a password manager. For the most important accounts, turn on two-factor authentication where it is available. This adds another layer of protection if a password is ever leaked.
Remove apps, old profiles and forgotten subscriptions your child no longer uses, as they may still hold personal information. Also keep phones, tablets and computers up to date. Software updates often include important security fixes that help reduce risk.
A digital footprint is now part of growing up, but it does not have to grow unchecked. Small choices made today can make a lasting difference to a child’s privacy tomorrow.
