Before embarking on the argument for and against having more than one online identity, a proper definition of “online identity” is imperative.
As defined by Internet Society (2014), an online identity is made up of partial identities that represent “you” upon visiting various websites. This may be both voluntary upon leaving your details to create an account or even involuntary where someone who knows you, leave any details about you.
As how this term is defined, it automatically triggers an argument, whether is it really within our control to have an online identity. What more to have more than one online identity? Costa & Torres (2011) argued that while the dilemma of having a separate identity between personal and work is inevitable, the credibility is questioned when the two is separated. I do believe that there is some validity in the argument. While I myself have separate accounts to deal with personal and work, I have to say that it is merely an illusion. I am pretty sure most of us have tried “searching” ourselves on Google. The results are quite staggering and some of us have no idea what we are really in control of.
This control of our online identity may be questioned as we embarked on the Web 2.0, where the primary focus was on interactivity. Where the web was once a “static and passive” tool for the users, “anonymity” was a luxury for the users of the Web 1.0. Convenience has led a move towards the “interactive” web where our online identities are created. While the question whether one should have multiple identities online is merely an illusion: that we have created a “private account” that can only be accessed by those granted permission. But to what extent is this control within our hands.
The argument for and against multiple identities was not evaded on purpose in this post. However, it is imperative to understand that as we are slowly moving into the Web 3.0 also known as the “Semantic Web”, we are sacrificing our online identities for convenience once again. The question is whether it is worth it. As more details about us are being captured, the more valuable it is to organizations. Commercialization has created the Web this way and makes our identities even so much vulnerable. So will the argument for and against multiple identities still exist when we lack control in the first place?
References:
Costa, C. & Torres, R., 2011. To be or not to be , the importance of Digital Identity in the networked society. Available at: http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126.
PCWorld, 2012. Data Snatchers! The booming market for your online identity. PCWorld. Available at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/258034/data_snatchers_the_booming_market_for_your_online_identity.html [Accessed December 1, 2014].
Society, I., 2014. Online Identity: An Overview. Internet Society. Available at: http://www.internetsociety.org/online-identity-overview [Accessed December 1, 2014].
TED, 2013a. Everyday cybercime – and what you can do about it. TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/james_lyne_everyday_cybercrime_and_what_you_can_do_about_it?awesm=on.ted.com_b07kc [Accessed December 1, 2014].
TED, 2013b. What will a future without secrets look like? TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/alessandro_acquisti_why_privacy_matters [Accessed December 1, 2014].
Wired, 2014. From E-Commerce to Web 3.0: Let the bots do the shopping. Wired. Available at: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/e-commerce-to-web-3-0/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].
photo credit: Yuri Yu. Samoilov via photopin cc
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Hi Khai! It was an interesting read. I like your boldness in approaching this topic in a different way!
I totally agree with you that having separate accounts to deal with personal and work is an illusion to some extent. I personally tried goggling myself and the results are overwhelming. I’ve learnt that there is no total control of our identity online. Even if accounts are private, you may never know the power of “Involuntary” identity through your friends’ blogs / relatives’ Facebook / Ex girlfriends’ Twitter / etc which is not private. Remember what Dr Bev who taught us our first module once said? ” Nothing online is really private. Even if you delete any information online, there is still a way to get it back.”
By creating multiple online identities, we are actually putting ourselves at risk. Since we have no total control, what if our employers found out the other identity? Not only do we get exposed of our “private” identity but It will also shows that we are not honest and genuine before them. Therefore, my stand is to have only one online identity.
You have mentioned “So will the argument for and against multiple identities still exist when we lack control in the first place?” If we have lack of control in the first place, isn’t it making a clear stand on against multiple identities? In another words, It is because we have the lack of control that is the reason why there is no point on having multiple identities, therefore, having one identity online is the way to go. Are you having the same thought as I am?
I enjoyed reading your post! Looking forward to visit your blog again 🙂
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Appreciate the comment Zoie! I do want to point out that even though the argument for or against multiple online identities is valid to a certain extent, I have yet to make a stand, as there are still other oppressing issues that may lie within that argument itself. I am not suggesting that it is absolutely impossible to have multiple identities. I am merely stating that even prior to undertaking multiple identities, the control that we have over just one online identity is questionable.
And of course, I do remember Dr. Bev’s argument on the privacy we have over our own accounts. It was a pretty insightful argument. I am pretty sure most of us were struck by that and were second-guessing our movements online. This is where I would say that the “illusion” was created to make ourselves feel secured. But truly, are we really?
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Hi Khai!
I read your post and it was such an interesting read. I like how you bring upon the topic with the keyword: illusion. Initially, it has never came across my mind that having an online identity may be just an illusion. After reading your post, it allowed me to think deeper into whether separating your accounts into professional and personal can be merely an illusion. Just like what you have mentioned, many of us had tried to googled ourselves and the results can be mind-boggling. The upright image of one could be tarnished because of the people around us whose account are un-private.
I personally liked and agree on this quote by Jeff Cooper- “Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.” As we are gradually moving into the Web 3.0, commercialization had made our identities so much vulnerable. You thought it would be safe to pen down appropriate information of yourself not until you hear things that are out of your comfort zone. Online privacy are facing new threats where we, as a user, have no idea what’s happening.
Therefore, I think it is crucial to constantly be aware of our surroundings as we move towards the “Semantic Web”, don’t you agree?
Looking forward to seeing your next post, have a good day 🙂
References:
PCWorld, 2013.The 5 biggest online privacy threats of 2013. PCWorld. Available at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2031908/the-5-biggest-online-privacy-threats-of-2013.html [Last Assessed December 1 2014]
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Thank you for the comment Angie! I guess the key here is “awareness”. As we have embarked on Web 2.0, we have been exposed to a vast network of social interactions. Little did we realize that every single exposure of our interaction has created a persona of our online identity! I am fascinated by how such developments of the Web may have created such an impact in our lives.
I do have to agree with you that “commercialization” has brought us to where we are today. It plays a huge role in the development of the Web. For future marketers, it is something to look forward to. The whole concept of “big data” is just overwhelming. It was not too long ago; the whole idea of “segments of one” was nearly impossible. But with the whole idea of capturing different personas of users online, we could literally picture the next shopper! Like literally!
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