Multiple online identities? #UOSM2008 Topic 2
Discuss the arguments for and against having more than one online identity
The term âonline identityâ refers to a broad spectrum of behaviours from online transactions that need you to authenticate your identity to how you decide to portray yourself on social media sites or digital forums (Ludovico, 2011). Today I will focus on the social media end of the spectrum. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg once famously said âHaving two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity.â But is he right? Let’s explore some of the arguments for and against selectively disclosing your identity online and find out why you might consider having more have one online identity.
Managing online identity
Targeted profiles
Multiple identities can be used as a way to make sure you effectively target your intended audience. An example of this that when I started blogging for this module I started a new blog rather that continuing with my existing blog. I recognised that my earlier audience from my Year Abroad blog are unlikely to want to follow this topic and by dedicating an entire blog to the module I can target information to the audience I am trying to reach.
Professional vs Private
On a broader scale, many people wish to separate their online presences into professional and private spaces. Why? Well, research conducted by Reppler in 2011 found that 91% of recruiters search the net for evidence of their applicants online activities â see infographic.
Separating professional and personal online presences is a technique I have adopted, limiting Facebook to private social interactions and using my Linked and Twitter accounts for professional purposes. This separation of services allows me to filter my online presence, using privacy settings to make sure that my private interactions are kept private. However, as someone who tends to engage online towards the Digital Resident end of the spectrum sometimes it does become difficult to keep these two entities separate, something which Costa and Torres (2011) have also noted.
Using multiple identities for different parts of your professional online life might make it harder to develop an effective online presence across different platforms and construct a personal âbrandâ for yourself. Even if you can reconcile multiple identities, the hassle of negotiating different aliases might still prove to a hindrance in the professional world.
Anonymity
A major argument for having multiple online identities is to offer a layer of anonymity. The use of a pseudonyms or invented personas allows people to discuss sensitive topics they might otherwise not be able to. For example, someone suffering physically abuse or struggling with their sexual orientation, might use an anonymous persona to seek advice or help. However, anonymity is also the major pitfall of the web in terms of security and privacy. Too often we read about cyber-bullying, identity theft, and more recently catfishing (see this article for more information).
Abstract
However, the real question I would pose is it possible to have a single online identity? Since the invention of web 2.0 and the mass adoption of social media the existence of virtual manifestations of ourselves has led to the very concept of identity being redefined (Ludovico, 2011). Ludovico (2011) amongst others argue that through online means we are able to express far more of ourselves than ever before, juxtaposing varied layers of our identities. Different social networking platforms ask us to reveal different aspects of our personalities- a simple example being Twitterâs 160-character biography that takes centre stage as opposed to Facebook focussing more of a checklist-type summary of personal information.
The portrayal of your identity on social media is often a random representation of multiple parts of yourself. Users tend to post comments, statuses, links and images because then, in that specific moment, it matters to them, but at the same time it is more a compulsion than necessarily a representation of their interests or views. Even if an individual believes they have one online identity across one or multiple social media platforms, others viewing this online snapshot of his/her life may not see a true reflection of him/her. While Krotoski (2012) argues that the function that many social networks now have to link your profiles to those on other sites means that online identities are more authentic than before I would argue that they are still a very arbitrary glimpse in your real-life identity.
Concluding thoughts
Unless every single facet of your online presence is linked I would argue that it is impossible to have just one solitary online identity. Your online identity is constantly changing by virtue of the links you share, photos you upload and thoughts you express. Anonymity, while having its downsides, has an importance place in social media and the executive directors of both âThe Tor Projectâ and 4Chan have criticized social networks that require their users to prove their identity. Ultimately multiple online identities are a reality and for anyone wishing to pursue a career whilst maintaining an online private social presence are, in my opinion, a must.
REFERENCES
Costa, C. and Torres, R. (2011) âTo be or not to be, the importance of Digital Identity in the networked societyâ, Educacao, Formacao and Technologias, April [Online]. Available at: http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126 [Accessed: 22 February 2014].
Cutler, K. 2010. Why Mark Zuckerberg needs to come clean about his views on privacy. [online] Available at: http://venturebeat.com/2010/05/13/zuckerberg-privacy/ [Accessed: 21 Feb 2014].
Ludovico, A. 2014. (Multiple) Identities in Social Networks | Alessandro Ludovico – springer|in 4/11: »Good« Friendship. [online] Available at: http://www.springerin.at/dyn/heft_text.php?textid=2534&lang=en [Accessed: 23 Feb 2014].
Krotoski, A. (2012) âOnline identity: is authenticity or anonymity more important?â, The Guardian, 19 April [Online]. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/19/online-identity-authenticity-anonymity [Accessed: 22 February 2014].
Masters, A. 2014. Identity on the Internet: The pros and cons of anonymity | | Independent Editor’s choice Blogs. [online] Available at: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/09/19/identity-on-the-internet-the-pros-and-cons-of-anonymity/ [Accessed: 23 Feb 2014].
McAulay, K. 2014. Multiple identities in social media. [online] Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/DrKarenMcAulay/multiple-identities-in-social-media [Accessed: 23 Feb 2014].
