Prompts:
- What is a digital identity?
- How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?
- How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?
Digital identity
To understand what a digital identity is we must first define a traditional identity. A traditional identity can be defined as “what it means to be who one is including the qualities and beliefs, distinguishing a person or a group from others” (Jawed et al., 2019). This highlights how identities are individual and not collective; it is based in individuality.
Digital identity is described to be “your presence online” (University of Derby, 2016). This means any information that you interact with online. Digital identities are becoming more and more important as we move towards a more online environment. The importance of a digital identity is becoming more and more valuable as information is easily spread and accessible online. The portrayal of oneself online is important as it creates a persona that others may come to rely on. For example those in the media, often curate a professional and trustworthy image of themselves online to make others come to trust them and the information they spread.
Personal vs Professional Approaches
Personal approaches to media
- More intimate posts and connections are created for the purpose of sharing them online for friends and family
- More personal information is shared
- Social media is used to catch up with friends and family
Professional approaches to media
- More curated “professional” connections– where individuals portray themselves more formally
- Fewer personal information is shared
- Social media is used to celebrate professional achievements
Convergent digital identities
From what I have gathered, digital identities conform by creating spaces for individuals to express their opinions, provide information about themselves, and connect with others. The impacts of this allow individuals to gain a broader sense of community and share their insights into topics with other like minded people. The benefits of this are allowing the fostering of a community.
I believe that digital identities converge in networked publics through a variety of ways. Such examples are stated in the video by the World Economic Forum (2019) where they explain how digital identities are created to help with many things from the provision of services to providing citizens identification. The impact of this convergence allows many individuals to get identification that they otherwise wouldn’t receive.
Benefits of convergence in networked publics has allowed many individuals the ability to connect with like minded individuals. In a broader sense the convergence in networked publics allow individuals the ability to build communities. This allows for specific audiences to gather information and connect with other individuals that subscribe the similar stances. But it must be considered that issues of privacy, security, and ethical issues that may arise through the creation of digital identities.
References
Jawed, S., Mahboob, U., & Yasmeen, R. (2019). Digital professional identity: dear Internet! who am I?. Education for Health: Change in Learning & Practice, 32(1).
University of Derby. (2016, November 25). Eric Stoller – What is Digital Identity? [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0RryRbJza0&t=194s
World Economic Forum. (2019, February 5). Davos 2019 – Press Conference The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-V7lyxrOmw&t=1785s
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