Digital identity

Question

re: Digital identity writing exercise
https://spanish.kwiziq.com/my-languages/spanish/exercises/judge/2371/6965970?response=1686639&page=7

However, that image can influence how others perceive us.
Kwizbot's answer:
No obstante, esa imagen puede influir en cómo los demás nos perciben.

I had to think about this and thought it warranted the use of the subjunctive, it would be nice/helpful to see a lesson as to why they subjunctive is not used here…

Re: hint “: crucial = fundamental” 
 and not accepting “crucial” which seems like the perfect fitting word here as well, since Spanish also uses “crucial”. 
It's crucial to be aware of our digital presence.
 Here's the hint we gave you: crucial = fundamental 
Kwizbot's answer:
Es fundamental ser consciente de nuestra presencia digital.
Your answer:
Es crucial ser consciente de nuestra presencia digital.
Other possible answers:
Es fundamental ser conscientes de nuestra presencia digital.
Es fundamental estar conscientes de nuestra presencia digital.

It would be good to also have a lesson as to why one can use both the singular and plural for “consciente “ , and why ser and estar are also possible.

Silvia Píriz · Accepted Answer

Hola Nicole P.
Thanks for your feedback.
In the first sentence, puede influir is correct because the sentence is making a straightforward statement about what that image can do: esa imagen puede influir en cómo los demás nos perciben. There isn’t a trigger here that requires the subjunctive.
Regarding crucial, you’re right that Es crucial ser consciente de nuestra presencia digital is also perfectly natural and correct. We’ll review the accepted answers to make sure this option is recognised.
As for ser consciente / ser conscientes, both are possible depending on whether the idea is expressed impersonally in the singular or understood as referring collectively to nosotros. Similarly, estar consciente can be used, although ser consciente de is the usual expression here.
Thanks for pointing these out and for your suggestions about additional lesson coverage. We’ll take them into consideration.
Saludos
Silvia