My final job before full-time app development was in the corporate world as a broadcast executive, engineer, and announcer for a major national radio network.

One day, the top person in my division asked me about my online presence. "Yes I have blogs, and yes I have several websites" I said.

"Please give me all of your social media handles" was his response. I handed them over. Knowing that I always take the high road on social media put me completely at ease.

I was not going to be fired thanks to any indiscretion.

Stephanie Humphrey details the social media high road along with the trappings of missteps in "Don't Let Your Digital Footprint Kick You In the Butt!" She summarizes her new book (2020) with the subtitle "A lesson in what NOT to do on the internet to build your personal brand online." 

Techlifesteph, her digital sobriquet, is the nickname of her brand. Humphrey repeatedly drives home (to our way of thinking too) that using social media is like posting a flyer on a public bulletin board at the post office or supermarket.

Everyone can take a look. Her message is be careful.

Although "Don't Let Your Digital Footprint Kick You In The Butt!" targets younger readers, it is completely appropriate for adults.

I read the book in one three-hour sitting and did all of her engaging activity exercises. The exercises are great for reinforcing each message throughout content sections:

1. How Does Your Digital Footprint Lead To Your Personal Brand
2. What Happens When Your Digital Footprint Takes a Wrong Turn?
3. How to Make Sure Your Digital Footprint Is on the Right Path

If you don't believe that your digital footprint can live forever, Stephanie includes the 'Go to the Wayback Machine - w w w.archive.org/web' exercise. We did it!

We've been archived (Quikthinking.com) 199 times as of this writing including but not limited to our online launch year: 1996, 2006, and 2016 up to the present. Yup, it's 24 years and counting!

Despite our experience with all things tech, we discovered quite a few new tricks by reading this book. You'll appreciate the plain language with straight-forward advice.

There is a marketing perspective Humphrey shares as contemporary branding is suggested as a smart strategy. She walks you through the tactical steps of how to do this correctly.

Branding however doesn't overshadow her central theme: think before you electronically leap.

Several brief case studies capture how individuals have paid the price for wading into what they may have thought were peaceful internet waters.

In section three I loved the amount of space dedicated to LinkedIn. Techlifesteph recommends a LinkedIn account for high school students and older. She shows you how to go through the steps to setup your account.

For parents and their bubbling under online age 15 plus kids, the whole family will benefit from this book that will serve as an introduction for some, and a review for others.

If you've never taken how you use social media seriously, now is the time to catch up. You'll find a wealth of information in "Don't Let Your Digital Footprint Kick You In the Butt!"

Stephanie Humphrey

I also recommend these four books from our library to help you navigate the brave new online or offline world.

For branding:

Known by Mark W. Schaefer. It is excellent.

For surviving online with your head on straight:

• The Computer Privacy Handbook by Andre Bacard
• NetLaw: Your Rights in the Online World by Lance Rose
• Unsubscribe: How to Kill email Anxiety, Avoid Distractions, And Get Real Work Done by Jocelyn K. Glei