In examining who we are online, there are several tangible elements which set the foundation for this identity. To start, when joining social networks, users are often prompted to provide certain control elements which will start the process of how they wish to be identified online. These elements might include their screen name, their avatar, as well as providing information on personal, professional, and geographical related items from their past. This information will often allow the user to be automatically pointed in the direction of people they know, or people who have common interests. Looking at this further, the choices in avatar, screen name, etc. also will provide other users information on how someone might want to be approached. A screen name like “Tech Geek” or an avatar of a favorite spots team quickly gives information on a person such as their interests, maybe their profession, or perhaps where they have lived in life. Beyond the control elements, however, the choices one makes while using social media will often shape their online identity further.
Many items go into how we use social media. To start, one defining characteristic online is frequency of use. Beyond a potential initial start-up phase, many people begin to get into a routine with how much they use social media. Some people like to use it frequently, updating their page hourly with the events of the day. Other people enjoy only updating their status when a major event has occurred, or they have something they specifically want to address. Ultimately, other users begin to pick up on how frequently one uses social media and expectations begin to develop. Beyond frequency of use, one of the greatest factors of online social media identity is choice of topics for discussion. Some people feel comfortable sharing with all of their online friend’s intimate details about their lives, children, and profession. In some ways, some users can find the use of social media, and the connections made online, as therapeutic. Other users are more selective with what they post, and put distance between their posts and their personal life. Along with choosing to share personal information or not, there are other identifiable post inclusions which go far in demonstrating to the world who you are as a person and what you believe. Topics related to religion and politics are often as sensitive to people online as they are face-to-face. Choosing to make posts containing aspects of these topics goes a long way in showcasing one’s identity online.
Other aspects, specific to social media, which can have positive and negative results, are being able to take time crafting a post, as well as the permanent nature of comments online. Many studies have been conducted connecting social media presence and teenagers specifically. As seen in the video “Social Media Impact on Teens” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3aoVruEsNU&feature=related), teenagers are given the power to change or reinforce stereotypes online from what is perceived during the day. Some students act similar online as they are at school, while other students are the opposite. The ability to take time and craft a response online allows for some students, who are too shy at school to speak out, a forum to be heard. Choosing what to say, and knowing ultimately that even retracted comments can stay alive online and be forwarded by others, makes online posting a stressful and/or intoxicating endeavor for some teenagers. With this in mind, some teenagers learn quickly to be moderate with their online voice, but many others enjoy the attention bold comments can receive. The feedback people start to receive for their posts can also shape their identity. Users often have one intended reaction in mind when making a post, but can receive conflicting or different feedback. If people like the feedback they get, they might continue in that direction, while they might change course or retreat if they get feedback they do not enjoy. Interestingly, this video ends by stating that while social media affords people the opportunity to re-invent themselves online, or to take the time to think before writing, often online identities are just amplified versions of the students demonstrated at school.
In the end, the Internet and social media afford people many avenues for self-expression. People have the freedom to discuss their interests, their career, share pictures of their happenings and children. As posts start to accumulate, factors like tone, frequency, topic, and inclusion of multi-media begin to create an online identity. In addition to many different ways people can highlight who they are and their interests; there are also many different locations to participate as well. With this in mind, some people have a very different social media presence specific to the forum they are choosing to participate. Within my own Facebook profile, I participate in my general page with my selected friends, but am also a member of a page related to my work as well as pages related to my interests in educational technology. I certainly feel freer to be “me” when talking with friends, versus my participation on my work related page. This example, of course, makes peoples online persona similar to their “real” persona in that they act one way around their friends versus their co-workers and supervisors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3aoVruEsNU&feature=related
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