Primary: Digital tattoo
Once stuff about you goes online there is no knowing who will see it, or when they will see it.
On this page
What’s the issue?
Things that are posted online may seem like they are ‘here today, gone tomorrow’, but this is not the case. When images and videos of our ‘bad hair day’ or latest crazy exploits are posted online they can end up anywhere in the world and be re-used in ways that we never intended—even years later.
Why does it matter?
- Other people cannot see inside your head, so the ‘you’ that they know is the one you show them through what you say and do. This includes your offline self and your online self.
- We form impressions everyday about people we don’t know personally. We use whatever information we have to do this, for example, pieces of their work, pictures of them or comments they made in a forum. Other people will form opinions of you in exactly the same way.
- Digital material is no longer under your control once it has been shared, even if it is only shared with people you trust. Once stuff about you goes online there is no knowing who will see it, or when they will see it.
Advice
Prevention is better than trying to mop up later
Think twice before putting material online – what would this look like to your grandparents, your teacher or your friends? What about in 10 years time?
Keep things in perspective
Be realistic about the impact of what has gone online—if it is a bit embarrassing but otherwise harmless, learn from the experience and move on.
Be clear about who you want to be online and offline
Let other people know that you don’t want them putting embarrassing material about you online.
Printable advice sheets
To download a copy of this advice sheet, see:
Updated 26 March 2026
Related links
About the VIC Government
- The Premier and ministers
- Find a Vic Gov department, agency or service
- Strategies and policies
- Inquiries and royal commissions
Grants and programs
Jobs and careers
Arts, culture and heritage
Business and the workplace
- Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework
- Portable Long Service Authority
- Victoria’s racing industry
- Workforce Inspectorate Victoria
- Liquor licensing, sale and supply
Communities
- Children
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Finding records
- Gender equality & women’s leadership
- LGBTIQA+ equality
- Multicultural communities
- Seniors Online
- Veterans support and commemoration
- Volunteering in Victoria
- Youth Central
Education and training
- Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority
- Early childhood education – information for professionals
- Kinder: Best Start, Best Life
- Education – information for parents
- Schools.Vic - information for schools
- Education grants, programs, awards and events
- PROTECT
- TAFE, training and universities sector
- TAFE Victoria
- Victorian Skills Authority
- Apprenticeships Victoria
- Learn Local
Environment, water and energy
Finance and economy
Health and social support
- Family violence reform
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- NDIS and disability services and support in Victoria
- Patient Review Panel
- Transforming Trauma Victoria
Housing and property
Law and justice
- Adoption
- Births, deaths and marriages
- Honorary justices
- Machete ban
- Safeguarding Victorians against terrorism
- Stolen Generations Reparations Package
- Victims of Crime
- Victorian Racing Tribunal
Safety and emergencies
- Emergency Recovery Victoria
- Victorian Emergency Relief and Recovery Foundation
- Emergency Recovery Resource Portal
- How well do you know fire
- Fire Services Reform
- Water safety
- Marine Search and Rescue
Science and technology
- Data sharing and open data
- Data.vic - discover and access Vic Gov open data
- Developer.Vic - portal for API developers
- Go.vic URL shortener
- Vic Gov IT project dashboard
- Victoria’s free public wi-fi network
- Cyber security in the Victorian Government
Sport and recreation
Traffic and transport
- Cameras Save Lives
- Transport Fines
- Getting Around
- Transport Planning
- Transport Future
- Climate Change and transport
- Future Directions For Transport
- Transport projects
- Ports and Freight
Working in the Victorian Government
- Single Digital Presence home
- Accommodation and Library Services
- Executive employment in the Victorian public sector
- Budget, procurement and funding
- Careers in the Victorian Government
- Council and Regulator Toolkit
- Guidelines for working in government
- Join a government network
- Standards and guidelines
- VicFleet CarPool
- Victorian Government style guide