In today’s society, it is very common to have multiple social media accounts. One recent study has shown that a person has an average of 2 social media accounts. However, in these accounts, how many digital identities of a person is being “shown”? One? Two? What is digital identity?
It stretches from the certification of an individual to par- take in authentication-based transactions (e.g. managing an on- line bank account) to our online persona/s that are made visible through selective acts of self-disclosure, such as writing a blog or sharing our Facebook profile.(Steven Warburton, 2010)
Everything you do/update on the web is part of your digital identity. Now, are you for or against have multiple identities online?
One Identity
“Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity.” (Mark Zuckerberg, 2010)
I’m sure most of you are as shocked as I was, this statement from the founder of the well-known social networking website, Facebook, which encourages one to share as much information on the web. I personally agree with Zuckerberg. Imagine the horror when you realized the person you know is completely different from what you see on web. One should be true to themselves and be proud of who you are, online or offline. It should not be some virtual character made up to impress or confuse others. The aim to share information on the web is to hope to meet people with similar interests and make friends. No one would like to meet someone unreal.
“We went from a web that was interest-driven, and then we transitioned into a web where the connections were in-person, real-life friendship relationships.” (Poole, 2012)
Multiple Identity
Many argued that one is unable to have more than one identity on the web due to individual reflex system. However, with the advancement in technology, it is easy for one to be influenced and become someone completely different online.
Like what Corinne mentioned, one might find it more comfortable to hide their true identity online and interact with someone for fear that they might not be accepted as who they are. And some might want to avoid meeting familiar faces while others might like the idea of being “invisible” online.
However, having multiple identities may affect you especially in terms of professionalism. It might put you in the bad light and affect your employers impression on you. You might end up conflicting yourself when you have too many identites to handle. This will affect other’s trust in you too.
It is important to be yourself both online and offline. Do not share things you are not comfortable with online.
Be proud of who you are, every individual is unique.
References:
Warburton, S. 2010. Rhizome Digital Identity Matters. [Online] Available at: http://digitaldisruptions.org/rhizome/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rhiz08_DigitalIdentityMatters.pdf
[Accessed 1 December 2014].
Krotoski, A. 2012. Online identity: Is authenticity or anonymity more important? [Online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/19/online-identity-authenticity-anonymity
[Accessed 1 December 2014].
Zimmer, M. 2010. Facebook’s Zuckerberg: “Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity” [Online] Available at: http://www.michaelzimmer.org/2010/05/14/facebooks-zuckerberg-having-two-identities-for-yourself-is-an-example-of-a-lack-of-integrity/
[Accessed 1 December 2014].
Imperial College London., 2014. Chris Hankin: Digital Indentity. [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x0diwgmAzg
[Accessed 1 December 2014].
Kaya, Stefferud. 2014. Topic 2; Having multiple online identities – good or bad? [Online] Available at: http://kayastefferud.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/topic-2-multiple-online-identities-good-or-bad/
[Accessed 1 December 2014].
Yanyi . 
Hi Yanyi,
I’ve always had my stand on having two identities for a platform – one for private and one for professional uses. However, I’m glad that you mentioned the other side of the coin, about how it affects trust. I certainly never thought about it that way.
Also, since the Internet gets more and more powerful everyday, I believe that it is not that easy to hide one’s identities anymore. With thorough search, everything can be found. Hence I also agree with you when you mentioned, “It is important to be yourself both online and offline. Do not share things you are not comfortable with online.”
However, everyone is posting whatever they want online now, without any thoughts of consequences. Any idea what can be done to improve the issue?
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Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for your comment. I am glad that I have provided you different viewpoints 🙂
In today’s world, many are exposed to the web and therefore like what you mentioned, they can post whatever they like on their social media accounts and yes, many do not think of the consequences. To improve the issue, the most basic way is to educate users through campaigns etc. Parties like MDA should also step in to control the information that are posted on the web. However, I guess a lot of self discipline is required and users should be reminded that no matter what they are doing online, even if they try to do it anonymously, it can still be tracked and it will affect them.
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Hi, Yan Yi
Thank you for your post, I like the video you shared 🙂
I think Mark Zuckerberg said that having two identities is an example of a lack of integrity, which is mean you have two different accounts on Facebook. For multiple identities, I will put it as subjective topic. One person can have different accounts under different platforms. And I use online banking, I have more than two online banking accounts. Usually, you don’t want to use your salary saving account as online payment account. Different accounts really helps us to manage our life easier.
Anonymous can be a grey area on the web. Sometimes, people have some embarrassing quetions need to discuss in the forum. Sometimes, people can act like catfish or commit cyber crime. Because of real name brings feeling of honor.
And more and more people will have more online identities as technology is developing so fast, what do you think?
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Hi Ling Zi, Thanks for your comment.
Actually when I mentioned having multiple identities, it is not meant by just having two facebook accounts or multiple accounts on different platforms. I am referring more to having multiple accounts showing different personalities/characters which might be a just a virtual image.
I do agree with you that having different accounts on different platform or even the same platform can be very useful, especially in online banking like what you’ve mentioned. However, such accounts would not reflect two different personalities of someone and therefore, I will not catagorize it as multiple indentities.
By having multiple accounts to mock people or to commit cyber crime is definitely a disadvantage in having multiple identities. And it should be stopped. With the advancement in technology, I do agree that more people will have more accounts online but I would say that this does not mean they will have more online identities. Having more accounts in different platforms to cater to the different uses is a norm in today’s world but having more identities should not happen.
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