What is a digital identity?

A digital identity can be interpreted as the way someone presents themselves online, whether that be through social media, blogs, or videos. In a sense, it is your “footprint on the web”, as Eric Stoller puts it (0:25, What is digital identity?).  Just as we curate our identities in our real lives, our digital identities are constantly adapting and subject to change as our personalities change. I have definitely cringed at the way my younger self presented herself online!

In their piece, Spracklen explains that historically, people have taken advantage of social networks to create a sense of belonging and community, and that social networks “were organized around families, localities, tribes, workplaces, faith groups and, in modernity, the nation state.” (p. 95). This is similar to social media websites we see online, where people can join communities centred around their interests. For instance, Facebook groups and Reddit threads offer niche communities for people on subjects they may not be able to explore as deeply offline. Therefore, creating a digital identity that is an accurate reflection of yourself can make it possible for you to connect with others.

How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?

In my personal approach to social media, I am less filtered, more vulnerable, and less concerned with appearances. My Instagram profile is private, and I only let friends and family follow it. Whereas my LinkedIn profile is more tailored towards what would be interesting to my colleagues and employers, and I have connections with people I do not know as well. I also take care to present myself in the best manner possible, focusing on school and academic achievements versus personal milestones. One interpretation of this would be that I am less “authentic” in my professional approaches to digital identity, which is a reasonable critique. However, I think that is a reflection on how our society views professionalism, as it is not a ideal that usually accepts vulnerability. In fact, the idea of professionalism raises interesting points regarding race and gender, and what society’s expectations of professionalism is.

 How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?

In the reading by Saira, J., et al, the authors discuss how identity is developed through processes of social interaction (p. 33). This makes sense, as all of our identities are influenced by our environments and those around us. While we are all unique individuals, we are of course the products of our experiences. Thereby, I would say that networked publics influence how you choose to present in your digital identity. This may relate back to my previous point about professionalism — one may choose to curate their professional digital identity in a more filtered way than their personal identity.

The World Economic Forum video explores how the digital identity facilities political and social inclusion, thereby driving economic growth 02:30). This is one of the benefits of digital identities converging in networked publics.  This is a great benefit, however it is also it is worth considering the increased privacy risks governments and institutions are susceptible to if so much of our economy is tied to digital formats. After all, it is estimated that 60% of global GDP with be digitized by 2022.

Can a digital wallet provide trust in networked publics?

I think it is possible for digital wallets to provide trust, but it is something that will be earned over time. One thing I really enjoy about using ApplePay is that I don’t need to worry about losing my wallet and someone gaining access to my cash or cards. I can bring my phone with me wherever I go and use that as my wallet. If I were to lose my phone, someone could not access my wallet as my fingerprint is required to use the cards. Therefore, I feel a sense of trust in this networked public. However, something I did not previously consider before is how companies are able to take advantage of my data. The more I use my ApplePay, the more that companies know about my purchasing habits. While using digital wallets is supposed to be a secure transaction, it  does make me consider the privacy implications of my purchases.

I believe in terms of the good of communities and societies, digital wallets, and digital identities, are a positive feature. For instance, digital wallets allow more people in developing nations to participate in global finance, facilitating greater inclusion. I am interested to see how this concept can be expanded to allowing more marginalized people to participate in these systems that are often exclusionary. For example, with phone plans becoming cheaper, perhaps more lower-income individuals can find ways to participate in the digital economy. Of course, that raises questions surrounding access to internet and tech. All things considered, the increased digitization of finances and institutions provides a unique opportunity for increased equity through inclusion; however, the privacy risks and implications must not be forgotten.

Works Cited

“Davos 2019 – Press Conference the Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society.” YouTube, uploaded by World Economic Forum, 5 Feb. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-V7lyxrOmw&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=WorldEconomicForum.

Eric Stoller. “What Is Digital Identity?.” YouTube, uploaded by University of Derby, 25 Nov 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0RryRbJza0&feature=youtu.be

Saira, J., et al. “Digital Professional Identity: Dear Internet! Who Am I.” Education for Health, vol. 32, no. 1, 2019, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31512590/.

Spracklen K. (2015) Identity-Making and Social Media. In: Digital Leisure, the Internet and Popular Culture. Leisure Studies in a Global Era. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137405876_6

What does it mean to network using social media?

As per the article by Rajagopal, Kamakshi, et al, networking in the professional sense can be defined as “making connections with other professionals, with or without the intention of making long-term ties with them” (para. three). To network with social media, then, would be to use social media with the aim of making connections or partnerships to advance one’s goals, learn something new, or to promote one’s profile or platform. There are so many ways to network using social media in 2021, with one example being LinkedIn, where one can create a virtual resume. I have personally used LinkedIn to connect with my peers and former colleagues and have used the platform as a way to network. In one of my previous summer jobs, my co-worker had found the position after sending a direct message to our supervisor. There are many examples of jobs being presented exclusively on LinkedIn, making it a worthwhile social media site for professionals to join.

How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

Since humans are social creatures by nature, I believe we are motivated to participate in networked publics through our intrinsic desire for connection. Social networks allow us to create and maintain bonds with people who could be across the globe, or reconnect with long-lost friends or family. During our current pandemic context, where many of us are limited to our household, social networks allow us to stay connected with people we cannot see. We are also motivated to participate in these networks for the purposes of school or work. In a semester where we are learning remotely, platforms such as Zoom and Discord have taken off.

What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

One of the risks of public communication, in particular, through social media, is of privacy violations and security. Many of us grew up with the warning to critically consider what we posted on social media, to avoid jeopardizing future career or education goals with an inappropriate post or photo. There is also the fact that much of our data is stored and mined by companies for the purposes of advertising, as described in the Boyd article (p. 349). I remember the first time I Googled a brand of shoe I was interested in, only to see it advertised on my Gmail later that day. While I am now used to this type of personalized advertising, it is a useful reminder to monitor our digital footprints and take efforts to protect our privacy.

Some of the rewards of public communication include greater connection, growth, and learning (Rajagopal, Kamakshi, et al., para. four). It is possible to learn so much for free just by going online, and growing one’s brand or platform is easier than ever. By taking advantage of public communication, it is possible to have an online portfolio and record visible to anyone, that could one day create a connection you never could have imagined.

Works Cited

Boyd, Danah. “Networked Privacy.” Surveillance and Society, vol. 10, no. 3/4, 2012, pp. 348-50.

Rajagopal, Kamakshi, et al. “Understanding Personal Learning Networks: Their Structure, Content and the Networking Skills Needed to Optimally Use Them.” First Monday, vol. 17, nos. 1-2, Jan. 2012, firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/download/3559/3131.