We often talk of the benefits of decluttering your home, but just as beneficial is decluttering your online presence. A fresh digital start can reduce overwhelm, improve productivity, and most importantly, protect your privacy and security online.
These days, our personal information is scattered across countless platforms we’ve signed up to over the years. And with scams, identity theft and even deepfakes becoming more sophisticated, it’s never been more important to take stock of what’s floating around the internet with your name attached to it.
So, from deleting forgotten accounts to refreshing passwords and tightening permissions, here are the smartest ways to clean up your digital footprint. You might be surprised by how much personal information you’ve unknowingly shared — and how good it feels to take control of it again. Here’s to digital minimalism, intentional sharing, and a safer, cleaner online life.
Related article: DIY oversized pinboard for under $30 (designer look on a budget)
Related article: Designing your dream home office: A space that fuels inspiration
What’s a digital footprint?
Your digital footprint is the traces of data you leave every time you use the internet. This includes everything from what you post to what other people post about you. It can also include information collected in the background, like your physical location or browsing habits.
Your footprint is made up of two parts:
- active data: this is any content you’ve intentionally shared or created, like social media posts, blog comments, or online reviews
- passive data: this includes information collected as you browse, such as cookies, your IP address, and location data.
Why should I look after my digital footprint?
Your digital footprint is essentially your online identity, a trail of information that shapes how the internet ‘knows’ you. And just like a well-styled home reflects who you are, your online presence does too — personally and professionally.
Here are some reasons why it’s worth the effort:
- for clarity: old, unused or duplicate accounts can become clutter to manage — and occasionally a source of confusion. A more minimalist approach to where you share your details keeps life simpler and puts you back in control
- shielding against data brokers: some companies collect and sell personal data behind the scenes, often without you ever realising. The less information you share (especially on platforms you don’t use), the less fuel they have to profit from your private life
- for security: every online account is a potential door for scammers. The fewer outdated logins and exposed personal details you have floating around, the harder it becomes for identity thieves and cybercriminals to target you
- managing professional image: whether you’re job-hunting, freelancing or building a brand, people will Google you. Ensuring the content that appears is current, accurate and aligned with who you are today can make a strong first impression.
Start with a small audit
Before you start deleting content without a clear plan, take a second to think about all the places where you could declutter.
Google your name
It sounds like a narcissistic thing to do, but it’s actually a good idea. Open a private browser window and search your name to see what pops up. Try variations with your city, job title, or nickname to make sure you’re reviewing it all.
Review your social media
Take a second to think about all the platforms, including social media, that you’ve used over the years. Maybe you have an old Tumblr or WordPress account where you’re still storing information about yourself. Look for posts, photos, and comments. This process may be time-consuming but it can also be interesting to see old content you’ve shared… and most importantly it puts you back in control of your online image.
Say goodbye to old accounts
Why would you leave an unused account open? Especially when they hold private information too. Most platforms have a ‘delete account’ option somewhere under ‘Settings’ or ‘Privacy’ options, though some make it trickier to find. If you can’t delete an account, at least remove unnecessary information from the profile.
Clean up content
Go through everything! It’s not just about written posts.
Be especially mindful of:
- posts that reveal too much about your location or routine
- photos showing others without their consent, especially images of children
- unnecessary content that only takes up space.
Keep personal details private
A recent Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey revealed that 62% of Australians recognise the importance of protecting their personal information. Still, many Australians aren’t aware of what is at stake when sharing personal information.
To keep yourself safe, you should practice good digital hygiene. This means taking proactive actions, like choosing secure passwords and keeping track of them. It’s also important to be wary of insecure public Wi-Fi networks at cafes, airports, and hotels.
This is where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) becomes an important tool. It works by encrypting your shared data and sending it through more secure channels. A multi-device VPN subscription protects your gadgets all at once. Whether you’re on your phone at a cafe, your tablet at the library, or your laptop at the airport, the private network protects your data everywhere.
Check your privacy settings
If you don’t want to delete your accounts, another good way of maintaining autonomy is to edit your privacy preferences. Every social media platform has privacy controls, though organised differently. For example, on some social media platforms, you may need to adjust privacy settings for each post individually.
You can do this from your phone, too, and while you’re at it, disable access to your microphone, camera, or contacts if it’s not necessary. The fewer permissions, the smaller your passive footprint.
Here’s what to look for:
- view permissions for your posts and stories
- people who can tag you or share your content
- which apps are connected to your account
- location and ad-tracking permissions.
Think before you share
You don’t want to repeat the same process 10 years from now. You might be a different person and probably trained in new technologies and their usage. It would be a smart move to start filtering what’s worth sharing and what’s not.
Data brokers and marketing lists
Data brokers collect and sell information such as your name, email, shopping habits, and even estimated income. While you can’t remove yourself completely, you can opt out of many of them.
Search for ‘opt-out’ forms on popular people-search or data collection sites. It takes time, but it’s worth the effort. The less data floating around, the smaller your digital shadow.
Monitor your name and accounts
You can set up a Google Alert for your name, business, or any other identifiers. This is a useful tool, as you’ll receive a notification whenever new content with your name appears online.
Additionally, search yourself on social media every three or six months to check that no one is impersonating you.
When the internet first arrived, people tended to share content more recklessly, as the risks weren’t widely known and scammers were less sophisticated.
Today, everything has changed, and a more responsible and minimal approach is needed. Even if it feels a bit awkward to Google yourself, trust us, it’s necessary. You want to take control of your online persona more than ever. This could be important not only for decluttering your online space but also for ethical and safety reasons.
