Digital Literacy terms

Active digital footprint

When someone shares information on purpose and it becomes part of their digital footprint.

Apps

A software application you download to your device (such as a smartphone or tablet). There are apps for social media, games, learning etc.

Bias

Prejudice felt about certain things, people, or groups. Information may be bias if its purpose is to persuade, endorse, promote, market, sell or entertain. It will present a one-sided view.

Online Community

A group of people with shared goals or interests that are connected online.

Blue light

Part of the visible light spectrum. Blue light from digital devices disrupts the hormones in your brain and can make it hard to sleep.

Copyright owner

Someone who has the right to copy, publish, sell, or distribute a creative work.

Creative commons

Creative works that can be used by the public, but may have restrictions on how they are used.

Curated content

Content that you share, but didn't create yourself.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online. It's often in the form of harassing messages or posts. Sometimes those posts are anonymous.

Data miners

People who gather and sell personal information that's shared online.

Digital footprint

A collection of data from a person's online activity that can be traced back to them. It's made up of data that can be found online.

Emotional contagion

When you feel the emotions you think someone else feels. It happens easily on social media.

Fair use

Specific times when copyrighted material can be used without permission (usually for research, reporting, or teaching).

Hacking

When someone gets access to a system and steals your data to use or sell.

Hyper-networking

When you check and think about social media a lot. This can cause stress, anxiety, and depression.

Identity theft

When someone pretends to be you, by using your personal information.

Location tracking

When an app uses GPS to track where you are remotely. Some apps share your location through their site.

Malware

Short for malicious software. It introduces damage or gains access to your computer. Once it has access, it can steal your information.

Online community

A group of people who connect online. This group might not live in the same location, but has shared goals or interests.

Online impression

Who others think you are based on what you post online.

Passive digital footprint

When someone doesn't know their information was gathered and it becomes part of their digital footprint.

Phishing

When someone tries to get personal data online by pretending to be someone else.

Plagiarism

Taking someone else's words or ideas and presenting them as your own.

Points of compromise

Places online where data can get stolen.

Primary sources

Direct or first-hand stories that come from the time period when the event being discussed happened.

Privacy policy

A policy that companies share when you use their services. The policy tells you how they gather and use your information.

Profile

Image and information about you that you set on social media, games, or other apps.

Public domain

Something that's no longer copyrighted because a certain amount of time has passed.

Screen name

The name you create for yourself that people see on games, social media, or other apps.

Secondary sources

Information that describes or explains primary sources information. They are created by someone who didn't participate in the event or create the material.

Social comparison

When you compare your life to others' social media posts and feel like your life is worse.

Sponsored content

Content that was paid to appear in certain searches or locations. This information is bias toward the sponsor.