What is Digital Identity?
Digital identity is just like any other identity where it is just a representation of a person’s real self. Digital identity differs from ordinary identity because it is a person’s identity that is only online. In simpler terms, digital identity is just the way that we present ourselves on the internet to others by expressing our interests and by our actions.
How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?
Similar to how we live our everyday lives, we have a different filter for when we are living our personal lives versus when we are in a professional setting. This is the same for people in an online setting. When using online social media platforms for personal use, we often share the activities we do on a free time, share our every day thoughts and just update friends and family on our lives that we are living. When using social media in a professional setting we often make sure that we are sharing ideas and thoughts that are appropriate to the room and ensure that we are being overall just more careful of what we say as it is a professional setting. Nowadays, different social media apps allow us to use them in whatever case it may be as apps like LinkedIn give off a much more professional setting as compared to apps like Snapchat or BeReal. Other apps are commonly used in both areas like Facebook and Instagram where companies can have social media platforms to advertise and build awareness or people have personal accounts where they share their lives.
How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?
In networked publics, someones digital identity can be very different than their actual identity in real life. Some benefits can be that introverts can be able to freely express their thoughts and opinions without feeling the pressure of a face to face conversation. However, this also has its downsides as there can be social media trolls that can spread misinformation, create debates and harass different individuals. This digital identity can cover allow them to do whatever they want much easier without having to suffer the same repercussions in the real world.
References:
“What Is a Digital Identity?” YouTube, YouTube, 25 June 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzuDcyR0WM.
Well said, Kevin. I had quite similar findings to yours regarding the differences between formal and informal approaches when using social media networks. You have a good point in reminding users to make sure what they are posting and where they are posting is appropriate for the respective platform. This helps users maintain a separation between their professional and social networks.
Hi Kevin, I love your comment on the cons of digital identities. A lot of people tend to show their dark side when they are anonymous online because they will never get caught. The idea that anyone can create their online identity to whatever is good and filter out the bad is always a scary idea. It could potentially hide the truth from others.
Hi, Kevin. I couldn’t agree more with your comments about the impact of digital identities in a networked public. Many people will vent their emotions on the internet that they can’t say in really life, they like to show their “dark side” on the internet because they know that no matter how much they say, no one will know who they really are, this kind of person has an identity in reality, called “Keyboard Warrior”.