Topic 2: Online Identity

Question: Discuss the arguments for and against having more than one online identity.

Does this page look familiar? If it does, then welcome to the hustle and bustle of the online world. Hit sign up to create your first online identity!

Online identities have been defined as who you are and the amount or type of information you release in cyberspace. This can be done through a screen name, an online profile etc.

Before the ubiquity of social media platforms, online identities could and would remain hidden at the owner’s discretion. However with digital advancement and the ever increasing need for online awareness, identity became essential in forming digital communities. The obligation for accountability and privacy led to the pursuit of online authenticity.

And as we know it, employers are checking potential employee’s Facebook profile for racy photos before hiring them. There are even articles on how to hide your various online identities, as people scramble to erase all forms of derogatory evidence.

Multiple Identities (Pros)

The perks of having multiple online identities are wonderful.

One can specifically craft an identity to create a image of what others want to see. Sounds sinister? Yes. But I feel that such methods are necessary.

We are in the marketing industry whereby multiple personalities are used to promote and communicate brands and people.

We also have ultimate control of what people see. If I used a picture of my mother as my avatar, readers would be none the wiser, unless of course, you are my classmate.

People online are forced to adapt to different networks. Naturally, what you see on my blog may not be what you see on my Instagram account because of the subconscious need to appear balanced in our ability to communicate online.

Multiple Identities (Cons)

However, there are cons as well.

Readers are unsure of identities. The are so many internet frauds going on around the world that it has marred the trust people place in the internet. To extend it even further, people has control over their various identities, coupled with biasness, how sure are you that this is truly the person you are trying to make friends with.

There is also the disconnection between the offline and online personas. When you are splitting yourself up into different aspects to suit different audience, you tend to lose yourself. Hence online, you are person A, B or C. But offline there’s only you.

In terms of privacy, well… Do we even have privacy online? Allow this video to exemplify what I mean.

In conclusion, there are pros and cons to having multiple online identities. It is how you navigate and control them that defines its usefulness and validity.

As mentioned by Dave Vronay “It is about controlling which subsets of true facets of a person are relevant in different social contexts.”

References

Carnegiecyberacademy.com, (2014). Cyberspace Communications – Managing Your Online Identity – The Carnegie Cyber Academy – An Online Safety site and Games for Kids. [online] Available at: http://www.carnegiecyberacademy.com/facultyPages/communication/identity.html [Accessed 1 Dec. 2014].

Casserly, M. (2011). Multiple Personalities And Social Media: The Many Faces of Me. [online] Forbes. Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/01/26/multiple-personalities-and-social-media-the-many-faces-of-me/ [Accessed 1 Dec. 2014].

Krotoski, A. (2012). Online identity: is authenticity or anonymity more important?. [online] the Guardian. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/19/online-identity-authenticity-anonymity [Accessed 1 Dec. 2014].