I came across a fascinating post a few days ago. The author, Remco Janssen, premised the post on a simple yet daunting question: “Who are you online?” Janssen explored the concept of one’s “digital identity.” The post got me thinking, naturally, about who I am online.
I read through Janssen’s article a few times to explore the questions posited in the post; however, I decided to explore my digital identity even further. I was particularly interested in exploring who I am online from a professional standpoint. Technically speaking, I am still a student; however, I recognize the necessity of carrying myself professionally, especially since reputation is highly relevant in any profession, my chosen field (law) being no exception.
Janssen suggests the professional aspect of one’s digital identity is “easy to understand.” This is so, for instance, because “[i]t says so on your Linkedin bio.” At first blush that made sense to me, but then I realized aside from Linkedin, which seems to me to be a passive online networking venue, I also engage in conversations with professionals more actively online on Twitter. So, is my professional online digital identity really that simple to decipher? Granted, I use Twitter for professional discussions, but I also express some personal (comedic, philosophical, political, mundane) views. “Personal” is another one of the three categories of one’s digital identities Janssen notes.
It is fascinating, then, to see how the three categories of one’s digital identity blend together to form an “e-dentity.” Some of the professionals I network with on Twitter, I am also connected with them on Linkedin. Of course, there are posts I would never share on Linkedin that I have no problem sharing on Twitter. I view the former site as strictly professional, while the latter, to me, is more a mixture of personal and professional. I keep certain posts off Linkedin not to be elusive, but because it simply does not feel right for me to share that information in that particular setting. Just like I wouldn’t say certain things in front of my parents for concern about appropriateness (personal), I don’t share certain posts on Linkedin (professional).
Ultimately, who I am online is a mixture of what I choose to share, where I choose to share it, and with whom I share it. So, tell me, who am I online?
Finally, a rational approach to online identity. Yes – it is a mixture of everything – just like the physical world. Except in the physical world, what I say in a private conservation with a friend would be widely inappropriate while chatting with my boss at the coffee machine (seriously, who still goes to the water cooler?). Therefore, I say certain stuff to my friends, and certain stuff to my boss, and there is not always overlap there. Why do we have to have a society-spanning massive freak out when talking about i/e-dentities? Everyone knows people have personalities, and (hopefully) know how to act in varying circumstances. Online networks certainly lack many of the barriers the physical world has, or perhaps the more accurate description is that we don’t implement the same “barriers” online as we would offline, but I don’t really think that is a good thing. We value LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, and what they provide to us. We also value our privacy. But when it comes to balancing using social media sites and expressing ourselves, it makes no sense to shun the sites completely, or censor yourself to the point where you become personality-less. Like the physical world, even online there is a societal code to adhere to: LinkedIn is a professional network; Facebook is largely social, though awkwardly blurring the line all too often; and Twitter is somewhat of a hybrid. What you post on any network should reflect the nature and purpose of the site. Keep your crazy statuses off LinkedIn and don’t try and get a professional job via Facebook.
My point is – there is nothing wrong with having multiple personalities online. We have them offline. We have to be careful, because in any instance what we say and do can have unintended or negative consequences. But we all know this about people. So why should online be viewed any differently. Yes, we’re privy to more information because of the lack of barriers (or, rather because we choose not to impose barriers), but that doesn’t change our professional capabilities, skills, work ethic, sense of humor, or interests. Employers say that they can use social networks to get a more accurate picture of who an applicant is. But just because you might have access to a larger display of one’s life, doesn’t mean you should abuse that information. And that goes for everyone, not just employers.
Thank you Hammad for the great follow up on my Social Media Today story and best of luck to you and your fellow bloggers, greetings from Amsterdam! Couldn’t find you on Twitter, but please feel free to follow me (@remcojanssen or on the link) and of course I’ll follow back
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@Brett: I do not concur, although it might be in the way you phrase it. There is something wrong with multiple personalities online, but I do feel there is room for different roles. Like me, I’m a father, a PR-entrepeneur, a soccer player and an amateur barista. All these roles fit me somehow too, yet I act within the social codes of the peer group. Though, my personality will remain the same. Though I know a few Jekyll’s and Hyde’s, staying true to oneself is the key factor of a splendid online identity.