Privacy is an illusion on the internet. Each click has consequences that can come back to haunt you. What you post online gets stored somewhere literally ‘up in the cloud’, where you can’t reach to delete it. So think before you click, as your data is your responsibility.

We live in a world where everything has gone online — from buying clothing, furniture or groceries, to medicines and even plants. Not to mention social media, where many of us are constantly present, whether checking statuses, watching reels or chatting. It’s a new world where people are always available, and one can meet, talk and see each other whenever they want, no matter where they are.

It’s a wonderful world, but it’s also one without privacy; there are always risks, dangers and hidden threats in the online world — scams, privacy breaches, cyberbullying and manipulation lurking behind screens.

This is because every click, every post, every fleeting thought shared online becomes an indelible mark, a ‘digital footprint’ etched into eternity and stored at places you don’t even realise or just can’t delete yourself. In this virtual reality we now inhabit, such footprints can either elevate your future or haunt you forever. And every day, as I work with children, train my colleagues and assist in solving cyberattack, I witness the profound and often terrifying impact of these footprints. With over a decade of experience, I can confidently say that the digital world is both a blessing and a curse.

Our smartphones, apps and social media platforms have become like open diaries, creating trails of data whether we realise it or not. But here’s the catch: nothing online is ever truly deleted. When I was a child, my life was offline. I sang, danced, participated in fancy dress competitions and wrote letters to friends. Those moments are stored in memory alone, with no trace of them online.

Today, it’s different. A baby’s first day of school? Snap, post, share. A private moment with family? Tagged, liked and commented on. Every single action adds to the mountain of personal data floating in the cloud, beyond our control. And it’s not just about social sharing; it’s about how this data can shape our futures.

The digital trail you can’t get rid of

These days, most organisations conduct “open source intelligence” to evaluate job candidates. Your social media posts, photos, and even casual comments are scrutinised. A fun, carefree picture with friends during college days might resurface a decade later to tarnish your reputation as a senior professional.

What’s scarier? You’re not always the one creating your digital footprint — someone shares a post you are part of or they could tag you in a photo you didn’t approve of, shows you not looking your best, or doing something that you are don’t want everyone to see. Your private life becomes public, without your consent. So always think before you post!

The younger generation especially must heed this. Today’s teens, often riding the turbulent waves of relationships, leave behind ‘Titanic-sized’ trails of texts, photos and videos. The end of friendships or simple rivalry by peers, often lead to blackmail, revenge or public humiliation, all because private moments were captured and stored online. For instance, they can be images and videos from private gatherings and birthday parties, teens hanging out at malls and cafés.

Unlike torn up letters or returned teddy bears of the past, digital evidence never disappears, it becomes ammunition.

Caught in the game

Not to forget the games! Violent, addictive games like PUBG, Doom, Free Fire and many more dominate the lives of many children as young as eight and not just in other countries, but in ours as well. Teenagers and kids spend hours daily on such platforms, not only isolating themselves from the real world, but also fostering aggression.

The results of playing these games have turned out catastrophic for the world in the past. The World Health Organisation has recognised gaming disorder as a mental health issue and the consequences are glaring.

When technology spies on us

But the dangers go far beyond just gaming. Today, our digital lives are mined for data. Conversations overheard by smart devices like Alexa and Google Home lead to eerily relevant ads.

Your microphone picks up on a casual remark about buying a car and suddenly, your feed is flooded with car ads. Technology listens, learns and leverages our lives.

Yet, amidst all this, we still lack basic ‘netiquette’ a digital code of conduct. Children below the age of 13 flood social media platforms they’re not even legally allowed on. Obscene or derogatory posts spread like wildfire, creating irreversible damage to reputations.

Worse, many are unaware that everything they do online every VPN, proxy or incognito search leaves a traceable trail. The most alarming trend? Indecent chatting, intimate images and videos are shared under the illusion of privacy. But kids do remember that nothing on the internet is private!

Digital data is never private

Hackers can breach even the most secure systems. If multinational corporations and government databases can be hacked, what makes us think our personal devices are immune? We need to wake up. We need to prioritise cyber wellness and digital citizenship. Parents must monitor their children’s online activity. Schools must educate students on the dangers of the digital world.

And most importantly, we as individuals, must make conscious decisions about what we share, where we share it and with whom. Because remember, your digital footprint is forever. Data is the new oil. If you’re getting a service for free, it’s because you are the product. Your information is the currency, and companies are mining it with every click.

So, be a smart internet user. Protect your privacy, guard your data and create a digital presence that enhances not endangers your future. This isn’t just advice; it’s a survival guide for the digital age.

Think before you click, post or share. Build a better internet, starting with yourself, because the internet will treat you the way you treat it today. Let’s make smarter digital footprints, for they are the legacy we leave behind.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 5th, 2025