Why is it then, that very few of us do? Let this be a stark warning, the last few cases I have dealt with at the Helpline have all been accidently found out by random Google checks, one following an e-safety training session!
In all these cases, the individuals involved were proud of their lack of digital footprint, and had never seen the need to search for their online presence.
One lady was informed by a potential future employer that there were uncomplimentary comments on a website, another’s husband Googled her for a joke and found them, and the latest one? Following an e-safety session at work, she Googled herself, only to find an ex partner had posted compromising photos of her online. She was lucky and was able to have the pictures removed immediately before any lasting damage was done.
It is a simple thing, but “knowledge is power” and the earlier we discover these online issues, the quicker we can resolve them.
So, all together now, “when you get home later, please Google yourselves”... (And actually do it!)
