My Digital footprint Reflection: A Librarian perspective on ethics and safety.

My work as a school librarian in Trinidad and Tobago has increasingly become more than physically booked. Nowadays, I take students through online databases and electronic tools. To do this effectively, I would need to walk my talk. It is now a part of my everyday work to reflect on my own digital habits (Kumar, n.d.).

I handle my personal information as a safety risk at a laboratory. I install extensions on my browser to reject tracking software on websites such as Google Docs. I would never post the names of students on shared files. In the recent past, I secured my social media accounts and erased some of my past personal posts. Two-factor authentication is everywhere where I need it to be. This will provide an additional lock to my accounts. I have a password manager that generates strong codes and changes to them frequently. I do not also use unsecured public Wi-Fi. I type my own name in Google at least once a month to check what is public. In case I receive old information, I delete it. I also handle AI tools with caution and I never stop at verifying their work, whether it is accurate or prejudiced (Kumar, n.d.).

These are the skills I would like to impart in students in the library. I will conduct monthly sessions on digital safety gears. The students will be taught how to identify false messages and how to defend their privacy. When designing school projects, we will design privacy checklists. I will establish some computer clubs having safe browsers and posters to remind students to think before they click (Speechi.com, n.d.). This we will gamify by with a challenge of strong passwords, students will acquire a badge. I will also collaborate with parents in exchange of safety tips at home. Lastly, we will make sure that all students can enjoy secure internet connectivity here hence safety is not restricted by finances (Kumar, n.d.).

I will also educate learners to fact-check AI generated information and to be skeptic about bias in computer-generated tools. This assists them to be critical thinkers, but not passive users. I would like to create a school environment where there is trust, integrity, and safety by modeling good habits and teaching digital citizenship.

                     What's in Your Digital Footprint?

References.

Aspiring Teacher Guide. (2025, June 27). What Are Ethical Considerations When Using Technology in The Classroom? - Aspiring Teacher Guide. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_hBuDUjKdc

Challenge Innovate Grow: Teacher & Learner Centre. (2025, February 16). How to Use AI Ethically in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjC2YAEE5nU

Kumar, Dr. S. (n.d.). Ethical Considerations in Digital Education. In Online and digital education (p. pp. 155–175). Retrieved March 7, 2026, from Ethical Consideration_Online and Digital Education-FinalBook-172-194.pdf

Speechi. (n.d.). How to incorporate technology in the classroom: Importance & ethical use. Https://Speechi.com/. https://speechi.com/how-to-incorporate-technology-classroom/