Topic 2: A Double Blog Life – The Arguments For and Against Multiple Online Identities

Owning more than one identity online is a particularly common occurrence in our existence in the online world. The arguments for and against having multiple identities online are particularly divisive amongst the online community. In this blog, I will discuss some of these arguments and offer my thoughts on the topic.

With many of our lives firmly linked within the online world, multiple online identities are commonplace and serve different purposes. This diagram below, uploaded to Caroline Wardle’s 2014 blog, illustrates the relationships and different identities many of us hold online.

The first argument for multiple online identities relates to this image, where successfully managing multiple online identities can be beneficial. One example is to retain privacy and anonymity, something particularly popular with online shoppers and forum users. Users have the ability to create any username with few other details. Having a limited, superficial identity for certain websites, whilst possessing a more detailed and exclusive Facebook page, is an example of having multiple identities.

Another argument from another perspective, comes from Jarvis (2011) who insists that multiple identities and anonymity is particularly beneficial to certain individuals. He argues that anonymity on websites like Twitter, can allow political activists to remain covert in countries where they may be targeted. Activists may have multiple identities through Facebook, Twitter and blog websites to avoid detection.

Andrew Lewman from the Tor Project, stated that multiple online identities and anonymity can enhance the creative sector. Relating to this point, last year I was lucky to meet one of my favourite bands ‘The Vaccines’ who’s members explained how they each have a public Facebook and Instagram account for fans, and private accounts for friends and family. This separation of business and recreational online identities is their equivalent to our use of LinkedIn (for self-promotion in a professional context) and Facebook (for private use). It allows the members to lead private lives, whilst retaining a fan following.

On the other end of the spectrum, multiple identities allow for malicious individuals like ‘trolls’ and hackers to remain anonymous, whilst almost certainly having another online presence as someone else. Similarly, Mark Zuckerberg famously argued that having multiple online identities is an example of a “lack of integrity”. He has a strong argument, as many Facebook users are connected to friends, family and co-workers. This is why it may be important to portray yourself in a positive light where possible, regardless of the platform.

Word Count: 400

References:

Jarvis, J. (2011, March 08). One identity or more? — BuzzMachine. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://buzzmachine.com/2011/03/08/one-identity-or-more/

Krotoski, A. (2012, April 19). Online identity: Is authenticity or anonymity more important? Retrieved February 18, 2015, from www.theguardian.com%2Ftechnology%2F2012%2Fapr%2F19%2Fonline-identity-authenticity-anonymity

Wardle, C. (2014, February 21). Topic 2: Online Identities. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from https://cwardle16.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/uosm2008-topic-2-online-identities/

Zimmer, M. (2010, May 14). Facebook’s Zuckerberg: “Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity” Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.michaelzimmer.org/2010/05/14/facebooks-zuckerberg-having-two-identities-for-yourself-is-an-example-of-a-lack-of-integrity/