Topic 2: Reflection

This topic has been one of the most interesting for me; the term “Multiple Online Identities” at first seemed a simple concept but after reading my peers comments my opinion changed.

It was interesting to see how unaware we are of the issue with Tatiana demonstrating how easy it was for someone to steal her personal photos.  She also spoke about the documentary Catfish which was useful as I was able to compare her opinion on the programme to mine. I questioned her on whether she saw the beneficial side of the media glamorising these programmes as I believe it makes the young generation who are surprisingly naïve to these problems more aware of them.

Jens questioned whether someone’s online identity should be determined before they engage themselves online.  I had not thought about the benefits of new online users knowing exactly who they want to be seen as when they are online. If someone is certain on having one identity and not multiple before they go online they are more likely to ensure this one identity is protected and therefore, act in an appropriate manner.

Whilst reading through my peers blogs, I came across a study that showed that 49% of social network users do not provide their real name for their online identity. I was very certain that multiple identities were not a necessity after looking at the negatives mentioned in my blog. But Tamara cleverly showed the pros to multiple identities that should be considered before coming to a concrete decision.

I believe still that multiple identities and being anonymous online will entail risks. However, the web is there to allow freedom of speech for people who do not have the confidence to speak in the real world and whilst the issues of identity theft and cyber bulling are serious it does not give us the right to take this freedom away from those who need it most.