Community Contribution #1

My whole life I thought that the way someone chooses to showcase themselves online is what digital identity is. However, after reading Networked Privacy By Danah Boyd I realize that it expands beyond that. Digital identities are shaped by the platforms we use and social networks, meaning that the things that we post will always become connected to other people.

It is fascinating that even doing something as simple as taking a photo of yourself with friends can become a part of your friend’s digital identities. This also applies to people who don’t choose to post something themselves. An example could include being in the background of a stranger’s picture or your friend simply posting a picture without asking for your permission first. Therefore, the way we are represented online can be challenging to have complete control over and it feels as though it’s not something we can truly hide from either. This is what Boyd’s main idea is; our data is increasingly being networked.

I have public social media accounts where I post things that my friends and people I know can see but I also don’t realize that strangers can see those posts and perceive me in a different way. Regarding my professional identity, future employers and professors for example, are people that I might want to see. I realize that both my personal and professional identities can overlap. Although I don’t intend for this overlap, it can potentially become a part of how I am perceived professionally. However, this doesn’t necessarily have to be viewed negatively. I have always been taught to be careful about the things I post online because of digital footprint. Regardless of who views my posts or interacts with me online, I don’t want to be badly perceived by anyone.

Something interesting that I learned from this article was how algorithms can interpret our data. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok can create assumptions about people based on not only what they do, but patterns involving other people. This means that it doesn’t depend on what we intentionally share on these platforms and it is something that I never truly realized before. I have always naturally avoided interacting with videos or posts that are negative, problematic or offensive on these platforms because I know algorithm adjusts to engagement.

I believe that social media is a great way to network both personally and professionally as it can allow you to find great opportunities, share your ideas and meet people. However, it is always important to be careful about what you post online because you never know how it will be interpreted by different audiences. The only thing that we can do is try to be a bit more intentional about the things we share.

In conclusion, this article really puts things into perspective about using social media and different platforms and how digital identity isn’t something that we create by ourselves. I will continue to use social media more intentionally while also being aware and responsible with it.