Who Are You? Understanding My Digital Identity
Written by: Fleur O’Connor
Social media has become a huge part of our society. It has not only shaped the way we interact with one another but has also become a space where we can document and share moments from our lives. Whether it is an Instagram post or TikTok video, we can curate what we want others to see. I have had social media since 2015, and it has challenged the way I think about the line between my personal and professional identity. While there have been times where I have deleted social media I have maintained a significant digital identity presence over the years.
This ongoing experience has made me more aware of the ways in which my online profile shapes how others see me, which connects to the content discussed in week 3. “Our digital identity can significantly impact how others perceive you, and it’s essential to be mindful of what you share and how it reflects both your personal and professional life”. For me, platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have been ways to share parts of my life with others. Eric Stoller describes a digital footprint as “your footprint on the web, this thing that is searchable, your body of work, everything you do on the web represents your digital identity.” This highlights the importance of recognizing that what we put online never fully disappears. Whether or not your account is public or private our content always exists somewhere on the internet. The following video is helpful in gaining a deeper understanding on what our digital identity and footprint truly looks like.
“What is a Digital Footprint?” by LPUB Academic Center licensed under CC by 4.0
My personal identity is something I have always had fun with, I enjoy posting photos of places I’ve traveled, foods I have eaten, and memories I have made with friends and family. In many ways, social media feels like a personal photo diary. Although simultaneously I am intentional with what I choose to share, it is important to remain mindful that our digital presence can shape how others perceive us. Knowing that what I may choose to post today can have an impact on future opportunities reminds me to consistently be aware of what I choose to share and not share.
The brings me to my professional identity, which is quite different from my personal one. Through platforms such as emails, university courses, and LinkedIn, I hope to present myself as responsible, kind, and respectful. I am currently working on my LinkedIn profile, and I am approaching it in a very different way than my Instagram account. On LinkedIn I want to share my experiences, education, and aspects of myself that gives others a sense of who I am. The process of creating a professional profile is a different experience, one that requires more consideration and intentionality than creating a social media account.
Overall, my digital identity reflects the different sides of who I am, my creative personal side that shares who I am in my everyday life. My professional side gives a more polished version of who I am in an academic and career context. By learning more about myself and what I choose to share with the public, my digital identity will continue to grow, change, and evolve.