Month: September 2020

Hey! My name is Nicole, I am twenty-four years old and am currently TRYING to finish my Economics+Business degree at Uvic. I enjoy being active and pushing my abilities at the gym (trying to do a muscle-up). I am excited to be taking such a unique course for my undergrad-Its interesting how much time we spend on social media, yet we never take the time to understand how much it really affects us.

• What is a digital identity?

Digital identity is information on a certain agent whether that be an individual, company, organization, or group online. Digital identity forms with interactions between that agent and websites, users, applications, etc. Thus, meaning every interaction done online will have impacts on one’s digital identity-inherently shaping the identity to what it is today, and constantly influencing opportunities in the future.

• How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?

Social media use is encouraged for a time of leisure for an individual’s personal or professional use. Social media can be encouraged to use for professional reasons as well- online platforms give access to more resources for professional use. In addition, it allows for a community among professionals to be built online by “Connecting to certain communities of practice gives meaning to the professional identity”. However, it can be a risk when professional and personal online identities overlap. Often social media can be used to share creative ideas, memories, thoughts, opinions, critiques etc.-some of which are not professionally appropriate. If someone is in a position of professional superiority than it is assumed that that individual would hold the same level of professionalism online.

• How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to keep personal and professional digital identities separate. One can avoid the overlapping of such identities when a different name is used for either of the identities. However, it is not for certain that these two will never overlap- experts can be hired to identify personal data posted online. This information can be used for court cases, job positions, home applications, and insurance claims which can cause great loss and/or great benefits for the individual. As stated previously, it is thought that when one works in a professional environment they are able to keep a professional identity online as well.

References

Jawed S, Mahboob U, Yasmeen R. Digital professional identity: Dear Internet! Who am I? Educ Health 2019;32:33-5

1. What does it mean to network using social media?

Social networking is internet- based social media platforms that allow users to stay connected with family, friends, colleagues, or clients. Networking can be social or serve a different purpose by allowing businesses to promote new product and share new information. Some examples of social platforms are as follows face book, Instagram, snapchat, Pinterest.

2. How do people learn and engage using mediated platforms?

People learn using mediated platforms by engaging in the activity (liking, commenting on posts, subscribing to content, watching stories, sharing posts) which inherently teaches you when engagement is repetitive. You are also able to learn by following the content of users who interest you.

3. How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

We are motivated because the internet has become very prevalent in our everyday lives. Internet is used for the majority of interactions- how we communicate, express ourselves, work, get from point A to point B, etc.

4. What are the risks and rewards of public communications?

There are many risks and rewards of public communications, some even say it’s becoming dangerous. Some of the risks are as followed: with AI being used to compute algorithms for social media platforms allowing advertisements to target individuals based on what they look at. Therefore the internet is able to predict patterns and thus, influencing us. (Aka changing social perception one advertisement at a time). Lastly, mental health has been extremely prevalent in younger adults due to social media. (depression, suicide, eating disorders, etc)