Identity in the Age of the Internet - Report Example

Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: 1.0 INTRODUCTION According to Erving (1965), Identity is complex since it is subjective thus depends on how one think about her/himself, representation, or how we represent ourselves to others. How we identify ourselves always vary with the environment we are in. Online and offline identify differ greatly since we have more identity indication than online since one can identify one through his/her posting and how one interact with others. The identify can be static or change depending its nature for example gender or ethnic are static, while class and status keeps changing according to changes in the environment one is in. According to Erving (1959) people present themselves differently based on situation and audience. It can be concluded that identity is constructed by social surrounding of a person and it requires one to master skills of varying his identity in order to appeal to the immediate audience. For example, teachers’ identity in school is very different at home since he/she needs to convey certain identity to his student and a different one to his family and friends. Therefore, identify is what one requires others to perceive of him/her (self-representation) (Marwick & Alice, 2013). The existence of online platform has brought great changes on personal/organizational identity. This has evoked concern for researchers to identify factors that determines one’s identity online, construction and management of online identity and relationship between online and offline self. The above areas of online identify are explained as follows; 2.0 FACTORS DETERMINING ONLINE IDENTITY The identity of an individual differs from one online platform to another. The difference in the identify vary because of the following factors; 2.1.1 Technological capability The capability of the technology used by an individual determines one’s identify since it gives him choices on how to express one self. For example, when I am using facebook, I can post long statement but on twitter I am limited to 140. The wording constrain limits me in expressing myself to others which translates to the level to which I can identify myself to others. It also limits me in identifying my friends’ personality. For example, when they are irritated or happy about my twit one cannot fit his/her own self-expression due to word limit unlike facebook where one can sufficiently express his/her personality. In addition, when I am talking over the phone my identity is limited only to tonal variation, while when having video chat over Google chat or Skype, I can express myself in many forms like gestures, facial expression and physical appearance, video chat enables the party to conversation to form an identity of me more than when we are having a telephone conversation which does not support video chat. Therefore, technology capability is a major factor in determination of one’s Identity (Marwick & Alice, 2013). 2.1.2 Idioms of Practice The society that we live in determines our online identity since they set framework within which it allows us to interact or use technology. The society sets the norms on technology use which affects our identity directly or indirectly, for example, my parents have set rules that require us not to use mobile phones during family meetings or dinner. This has shaped my identify on how I use technology and my self-expression since not using electronic gadget during family meeting helps me express myself properly. Self-expression is an important aspect of identifying ourselves and being identified by those who we are communicating with. Extreme reliance on online platform tends to bring an illusion that one is having a real communication but in real sense one is isolating himself from important components of social life. In addition, my parents are my friends on facebook and followers on twitter. This has shaped my representation on social media, since I am forced to keep my ‘bad’ identity by avoiding posting anything that will change their perspective about me. This is unlike instagram where I post my photos without caution of what my audience with think since my parents do not use instagram but there is nothing that can raise behavioral concern because my conduct is shaped by family values. Framework set by the society influence one’s identity either positively or negatively. For instance our family has played key role in shaping my identity in correct way. 2.1.3 Software/online platform Context The environment of software or platform influences one’s identity greatly. For example in gaming web platform, I can use in appropriate language due to availability of anonymity or evoking fun in the session. The use of vulgar language does not sound awkward to me in any way since the context allows me thus defining my identity according to such environment since no one knows me. However, on my facebook page I behave differently since I don’t use any form of vulgar language since am mindful of my identity since what my friends or relative see on my facebook wall is what they perceive of me. In that regard, I always think twice before posting anything by trying to imagine what their reaction will be since there is no anonymity. Though posting are casual and does not need factual evidence, unlike LinkedIn, where I post career related information and photos since the platform is comprised with elites in the society or prospective employer. Thus on LinkedIn, I behave in a professional manner which influence my identify to LinkedIn followers by perceiving me to be passionate and knowledgeable in what I am doing (Please take snapshot of your LinkedIn and facebook or twitter profile and insert it here in order to prove above statement). Therefore, it is evident that the software or online platform context have a direct or indirect influence in determining our online identify both in how we thing about ourselves and self-representation or how our friends identify us (Marwick & Alice, 2013). Construction and Management of Online Identity The construction of online identity means how you build your personality or let friends to perceive you in an online platform like facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn. Management entails strategies that one employs in order to ensure his or her identity remains the same to his viewers or friends. Construction of online identity entails various components, like individuals tone, images, videos, website links, friends’ online activities or status and time one spends online. The tone can be used by audience in developing one’s identity for example, my tone on gaming website is ‘vulgar’ or harsh which in turn sends a message to the other person we are playing with, he then respond keeping in mind the tone I used since he builds a perception about me to be a rude person. He will respond with vulgar too since my message evokes rudeness. Therefore, the tone that we use on online platform construct our identity on what other should perceive us. Secondly, pictures we post on online platform construct our online identity in many ways. The effect of the perception others have on us can be obtained by the reaction we get after posting a photo. For example, during my early stages of dating (between 1 to 2 months), I used to post photos that portrays more on love issues like couples holding hands or images with love messages. According to such posting, it is clear to my friends or followers that I am in love thus constructing an identity about me to be a passionate person (You can take a snapshot of any photo on your social network love theme). In addition, I usually post nature and wildlife photos on my facebook and twitter page which creates my identity to those viewing my posting as environmentalist or adventurist. Therefore, the reaction that one has on your photos (mostly profile pictures) construct ones’ identity and sometimes it might lead to rejection or acceptance in an online platform (Turkle & Sherry, 1995). For example, one can accept your friend request on facebook or unfriend you or unfollow you on twitter depending on photos one post because of perception created. The video we post on online platform such as YouTube, facebook or whatsapp have great impact in creating our identity with whom we are interacting with. For example, people posting funny or humorous videos are mostly funny themselves or fun lovers, which represent their identity to the viewers. In addition, anyone posting obscene videos is perceived to be immoral which represent their identity created by the viewers. According to videos that I posted lately, most are on motivation and fun. The videos then create my perception to those viewing that I am positive and fun lover. The perception in return becomes my identity. My friend just asked for advice two weeks ago which it might have come from how he identify me, for example a person with positive life and I can help him cultivate the same by teaching him how I manage being happy and positive always. Therefore, videos we post has great impact on our identity on online platform and level of association that our friends wants to have with us, thus creating or modifying our identify Lastly, links we share on online platform construct our identity through audience or friends respond. For example, I am used to sharing business (finance and marketing) articles from blogs and websites on my facebook page, twitter and Google+. The comments or likes I get are from my course mate or friends who are interested in business field. The response itself shows the identity created since they are able to identify me to be within their circle or group. To other friends who are not interested in financial matters will perceive me to be having knowledge in business, through my exposure on business information. Most likely, someone might seek advice on his/her financial matters one day, because of who they identify me to be. Therefore, posting of articles links or information conveyed by the links helps in constructing our identities by creating desired perception we would like to them to have about us (Turkle & Sherry, 1995). Management of online identify can be tricky to most people because of different reaction we receive from our audience. The balance between audiences’ opinion and personal decision is important in ensuring our identity remains the same or within desired level. In order to maintain a consistent online identity, I need to keep on updating content that relates to previous online presence. For example, I need to keep posting on business and nature related post in any of online platform in order to retain my identify as a business professional (Turkle & Sherry, 1995). Any change in my online posting will force my audience to definitely change their perception about me, which in turns change my identity. Therefore, online identity management depends on consistency of one’s activities and monitoring audience reaction. Relationship of Online and Offline Self There is great different between online and offline self, approximately more than 95% of active online participants. The other 5% have similar identity both online and offline for example Richard Branson usually post about business and recreational activities and he is a prominent entrepreneur thus his online and offline identity are similar. According to my personal evaluation, I fall in the broad category of 95%. The differences between my offline and online self comes from the fact that, some online platforms provides anonymity, which enables me to do what I want without fear of tainting or creating a negative identity to my audience who knows me personally. For example when I am gaming online I usually use rude language which is totally opposite of me when I interacting with audience offline. The major factors contributing to difference in online and offline is anonymity and the distance that one have between him and the audience. For example, some of my shy friends are very active on social media because it gives them a better chance to express themselves better than offline platform. In addition, online platform offers one variety of tools e.g. images and videos, in self expression which create a different identity compared to offline which has limited forms of expression, thus causing the difference on online and offline identity (Turkle & Sherry, 1995). In conclusion, one should be mindful on what he or she post on online platform since it creates an identity that audience will use in identifying personally regardless of intention that one had in mind. REFERENCE Turkle, Sherry (1995). Introduction: Identity in the Age of the Internet. In Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet. New York: Touchstone. (pp.9-26) Marwick, Alice E. (2013). Online Identity.In John Hartley, Jean Burgess, and Axel Bruns, A Companion to New Media Dynamics. Hoboken, NJ:… (pp. 355- 364) Read More

In addition, my parents are my friends on facebook and followers on twitter. This has shaped my representation on social media, since I am forced to keep my ‘bad’ identity by avoiding posting anything that will change their perspective about me. This is unlike instagram where I post my photos without caution of what my audience with think since my parents do not use instagram but there is nothing that can raise behavioral concern because my conduct is shaped by family values. Framework set by the society influence one’s identity either positively or negatively.

For instance our family has played key role in shaping my identity in correct way. 2.1.3 Software/online platform Context The environment of software or platform influences one’s identity greatly. For example in gaming web platform, I can use in appropriate language due to availability of anonymity or evoking fun in the session. The use of vulgar language does not sound awkward to me in any way since the context allows me thus defining my identity according to such environment since no one knows me.

However, on my facebook page I behave differently since I don’t use any form of vulgar language since am mindful of my identity since what my friends or relative see on my facebook wall is what they perceive of me. In that regard, I always think twice before posting anything by trying to imagine what their reaction will be since there is no anonymity. Though posting are casual and does not need factual evidence, unlike LinkedIn, where I post career related information and photos since the platform is comprised with elites in the society or prospective employer.

Thus on LinkedIn, I behave in a professional manner which influence my identify to LinkedIn followers by perceiving me to be passionate and knowledgeable in what I am doing (Please take snapshot of your LinkedIn and facebook or twitter profile and insert it here in order to prove above statement). Therefore, it is evident that the software or online platform context have a direct or indirect influence in determining our online identify both in how we thing about ourselves and self-representation or how our friends identify us (Marwick & Alice, 2013).

Construction and Management of Online Identity The construction of online identity means how you build your personality or let friends to perceive you in an online platform like facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn. Management entails strategies that one employs in order to ensure his or her identity remains the same to his viewers or friends. Construction of online identity entails various components, like individuals tone, images, videos, website links, friends’ online activities or status and time one spends online.

The tone can be used by audience in developing one’s identity for example, my tone on gaming website is ‘vulgar’ or harsh which in turn sends a message to the other person we are playing with, he then respond keeping in mind the tone I used since he builds a perception about me to be a rude person. He will respond with vulgar too since my message evokes rudeness. Therefore, the tone that we use on online platform construct our identity on what other should perceive us. Secondly, pictures we post on online platform construct our online identity in many ways.

The effect of the perception others have on us can be obtained by the reaction we get after posting a photo. For example, during my early stages of dating (between 1 to 2 months), I used to post photos that portrays more on love issues like couples holding hands or images with love messages. According to such posting, it is clear to my friends or followers that I am in love thus constructing an identity about me to be a passionate person (You can take a snapshot of any photo on your social network love theme).

In addition, I usually post nature and wildlife photos on my facebook and twitter page which creates my identity to those viewing my posting as environmentalist or adventurist. Therefore, the reaction that one has on your photos (mostly profile pictures) construct ones’ identity and sometimes it might lead to rejection or acceptance in an online platform (Turkle & Sherry, 1995).

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