The need for media literacy and youth digital identity protection

Lila Karanfilovska

Abstract

Nowadays, our lives are completely intertwined in the digital world, and online activities leave a lasting mark, that is, a digital footprint. The information we share and the data we generate leave an indelible mark on the internet, shaping not only our online reputation but also affecting our future capabilities and security. Therefore, it is important to understand the digital footprint and how to navigate the landscape of our online identities. In the online sphere, our digital identity is "a way to securely verify who we are online while offering data protection and protecting our personal information." In practice, it is an extension of our identification documents, but also aggregates information about us that exists on the Internet and can provide us with a digital representation as individuals. Our online identity is all the information we leave online. It is our digital fingerprint with details such as our email address, date of birth, and even our shopping habits through online stores. It also confirms that we are who we say we are. From traditional passwords to facial recognition and fingerprints, we have many ways to identify ourselves online. Our digital identity is how we present ourselves online. It contains vital information about who we are and may include multiple accounts, browsing data, purchase history, and more. If you spend any time online, you already have a digital identity. To avoid becoming a victim of digital identity theft due to deepfakes, it is essential to first understand all the challenges and dangers that lurk in the online space.

Keywords: Internet Security, Fingerprint, Password, Online Identity, Deepfakes