Based on your reading of the items from the above list, think about online identity in relation to both individuals and organisations: What is important in terms of how we present and manage those identities online? What can we share with the online world and what should we keep private? Post a 350 word summary of important issues around online identity to your learning journal.

The impressions we leave in the digital environment

_{(Innovman inno, 2013)}

Being a regular beach goer, as I walk along the beach, I often find myself observing the many different footprints along the way. Impressions of different shapes, sizes, depths and impact of where we have been, are easily erased with every wave that hits the shore. Our digital footprint, however, does not disappear so easily. In fact, every time we click, post or interact on a digital device, a data trace or shadow is created, stored and collected about us (Me and my shadow, n.d.). Therefore, it is very important for both individuals and organisations to consider, through one’s activity, what digital footprint is being created and what identity does one want to create.

In education, on an individual level, I believe that information professionals have a responsibility to educate students and the community about digital identity especially when using social media. Growing up in a digital age, time stamped life logs are being created and impacting how one defines themselves and how others perceive you (Brandtzaeg & Chaparro-Dominguez, 2020). Educating and creating a personal awareness amongst students and the community will hopefully impact online behaviours and the way one presents themselves.

Same can be said about organisations when on social media. Impressions are left with every interaction. Organisations need to be clear in their purpose and carefully consider what digital information is being presented to the public. With the amount of misinformation and fake news out there, being informed and ensuring accurate information is being delivered will not only impact your identity but also your reputation. It is so important that the general presentation, including spelling and structure, conveys professionalism. Choosing when to post and not to post is also an element that can shape one’s digital identity.

Not only is the content or the story that is being told a concern for one’s digital identity but so too is the security. With the increasing rate at which people are accessing and creating digital data it is very important that sensitive data is protected. Feher (2019) raises the point that your online self is unsafe if your digital identity is vulnerable. Therefore, understanding the privacy terms and conditions of the platforms used and ensuring your privacy settings are set correctly along with regular software updates, strong passwords and connecting securely are ways to manage your data. This will help maintain your digital identity. Information professionals need to ensure there are policies in place to assist with this.

References

Brandtzaeg, P. B., & Chaparro-Domínguez, M.-Á. (2020). From youthful experimentation to professional identity: Understanding identity transition in social media. Young, 28(2), 157-174. https://doi-org/10.1177/1103308819834386

Feher, K. (2019). Digital identity and the online self: Footprint strategies – An exploratory and comparative research study. Journal of Information Science, 47(2), 192-205.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0165551519879702

Innovman inno. (2013). Digital-Footprint [image]. Flickr. https://tinyurl.com/cnzm55j8

Me and my shadow. (n.d.). Take control of your data. https://myshadow.org/