Month: January 2023

What is a digital identity?

Digital Identity is an online or networked identity/persona that built by digital usage by of a particular individual or organization. A digital identity is typical made up of the following components : Username(s) and password(s), Online activities such as online search results or social media posts, date of birth, Social security number, Medical history, Purchasing history or behavior.  A digital identity is usually linked to multiple identifiers like social security number, email, and/or name. The purpose of digital identity is to to verify who we are online but in a safe and secure manner that safeguards data and personal information.  It is very useful as many activities are now held digitally in our technology-advancing world, digital identity provides access many different online services, such as social media, banking, and email.

 – How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use? 

Digital Professional Identity is grounded in one’s attributes, beliefs, motives, values, and experiences relating to their profession that is captured by one’s online interactions. A professional approach to digital identity constituents portraying a persona on social media to display professionalism and expertise in their field. For an example: an inspiring doctor would frequently use social media for medical networking and post about medical research and achievements. They would try not to post goofy and silly memes on social media or say controversial things. They would want to develop an identity that shows up positive values and competencies that would represent their proficiencies, qualifications, and desire to be in the medical field for potential networkers to see. A personal approach to digital identity is more casually approaching online usage and networking. In other words, there is more personality attached one’s digital identity. Emails/name(s) may contain more personal or goofy details about one’s self. Online activities and networking is more casual; interactions have a more comic and down to earth tone to them.

– How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits? 

Digital Identities converge all the time in networked publics; whenever you interact with social media, play online games, do online financial transactions, or even simply searching something your digital identity is interacting with a networked public. One leaves a digital footprint with almost any interaction with technology online. Because our digital identities are constantly converging in networked publics, its heavily impacts our life. There are so positive impacts that could from this. Technology being integrated into society allows for citizens to easier manage their own health, organizing education, any financial interactions, communication, and exercising civil rights. For organizations/government there are advantages such as improving customer service, accessibility, and ease of use of services/product. However, with everything being digital theres a whole host of problems. Digital identities are always at risk for privacy breaches. Stealing information for unethical purposes is frequent in the online world. Additionally, keeping a professional digital footprint is another concern for people as well. One could risk upsetting certain people/employers with their digital footprint.

– Can a digital wallet provide trust in networked publics?

Digital Wallet has some advantages such as seamless purchasing experience, enhance security, and selective card use. However, concerns over security is very real in networked publics. Theoretically a digital wallet increases security as it removes the need for physician items, can restrict purchases, and have pass codes. But as popularity of online technology increases, hackers have found more and more ways to access digital wallet through information from one’s digital identities. Most banks have a trustworthy digital wallet, however, one must also safeguard their own digital identity to make sure hackers don’t have the information needed to access their digital wallet.

• What does it mean to network using social media?

Networking is defined as the act of making connections with others. These connections are categorized into two different groups: Personal and Business. Business networking is achieved by identifying and understanding other people’s work in relation to one’s own to assess the value of making connections for potential future work. Personal networking is for staying connected with family,friends, and peers about their personal life. Social Networking is the development/ maintenance of these business and personal connections through the use of technology, usually done through social networking webapps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. One could network with their friends by messaging them on Instagram, replying to the stories, and/or post their own life events. Or if one wanted to do business networking, they could pay advertisements on these social networking webapps and/or reaching out to people through direct messaging.

• How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

Digital media and networking technology has quickly become the backbone of our society. We are motivated to participate in networked publics for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it provides us a sense of community. Networked publics provides the feeling of belonging and participating with a group of similar values/interest. If my passion was cooking and I joined a group that discussed cooking tips and recipes, I would feel at home as I am surrounded by like minded-people talking about things that I am passionate about. Another motivation is allowing for communication and connection amongst peers despite differing locations. School/work life is very busy, its impossible to communicate with friends and peers effectively, network publics allow works around this problem. It also provides a space for one to have feelings of contributing to something socially worthwhile, such as promoting a social cause. Network publics motivate us to participate by also incentivising learning through participation and/or rewards of monetary value. 

• What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

Public communications opened the ease and created new ways to connect, share, and collaborate with others from a variety of different demographics and backgrounds. The lack of barriers in communication has left a positive effect on making information to obtain, however, with this they are some drawbacks. Lack of barriers in communication means anyone can have access to information; some of it may be misused. Additionally, any data stored or sent through these public networks could also end up in the wrong hands. Examples include: closed groups and discrimination based on past ( cancel culture), impersonation and business fraud, viruses and malware, personal information and photos, and location-tracking. Social Media provides a lot of benefits for networking, but many cautions need to be taken to prevent one’s data from being manipulated.