What is online identity? Online identity is a social identity that an Internet user establishes in online communities and websites.
I would like to use digital footprint rather using online identity, because I find it more appropriate. A digital footprint reveals a lot about you, people can actually know about what is going on in your life. Every time you went to Google something you may leave down a track, it can be very useful data for some business. Let’s say if you went to check slim product then they might know that you are trying to keep fit, and so they can track down your email address and send you the promotion package of their products. So, you rather create another new email address just for all the promotion packages or the advertisement, and the important one is for business purpose.
I do have more than one online identity, and the reason because of that is I have something I want to post it out but without the people I don’t know saw it. So for my Instagram, I have a second account, so I can post whatever I want, I can write my real thought on it without people judging and I feel really secured about this. As for my Facebook, when I was young and right before the Chinese government ban the website, I had created an account. But the older I get I just feel like abandon the account because I saw lots of childish posts and photos, I don’t really want people who know me well reveal it, so hence I create a new account. Recently I just finish my HRM session with Professor Edgar, he had told us about nowadays quite a number of employees will check the applicant’s social media to see if they are as good as what they wrote on their resume or to see if they are misbehaving. I was really concerned about it, I did party a lot last time with my friends and maybe my future boss wouldn’t like it, I guess I might create my third Facebook account.
But just to have one online identity your authenticity will be higher, people may tend be trusting you more because you are not trying to hide anything. Real identity has improved the tone and tenor of interaction online.
In conclusion, I would recommend to have more than one online identity. It is safer and it is more reliable.
References
One identity or more? — BuzzMachine. 2014. One identity or more? — BuzzMachine. [ONLINE] Available at:http://buzzmachine.com/2011/03/08/one-identity-or-more/. [Accessed 01 December 2014].
Digital identity matters — Rhizome. 2010. Available at:http://digitaldisruptions.org/rhizome/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rhiz08_DigitalIdentityMatters.pdf. [Accessed 01 December 2014].
Your digital footprint. Available at:http://www.internetsociety.org/your-digital-footprint. [Accessed 01 December 2014].
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