Reflection on Topic 2 + 2 comments

Reflecting on the topic, I emphasized a great deal on adopting and managing the use of multiple online identities in my blog post.

After reading my fellow colleagues blog posts, I realized that maintaining and managing also includes aspects like online security. Something which I didn’t cover but is also crucial in the process of managing and maintaining ones online identities.

In reference to Wei Jie’s blog post, I came across a video he posted which talks about how easily someone could take over your life via the online platform. It immediately struck upon me how vulnerable we are in the online space and that someone could literally “take over” your life with just information from online.

In reference to Audrey’s blog post, she showed the consequence of failing to manage ones online identity via a video. Further emphasizing that one should put in great care in posting information online.

In reference to Sheryl’s blog post, the method of protecting and keeping ones online identity safe is clearly communicated through a video. Where she touched on the process of a 2 factor authentication together with the use of plugs-in to prevent the disclosure of private information.

These are the facets of multiple online identities which I am now well aware of due to the great contributions made by my fellow colleagues. I am thankful in the information they shared and that it definitely attributed in the greater understanding I have in regards to managing and maintaining my personal online identities.

Just a random point that I came across while doing the reflection

I still stand firm on my position where multiple online identities should be exploited for ones own well being. I hope that people with the same ideology as myself could benefit more from this reflection in learning to manage and maintain our online identities in a more efficient manner with the incorporation of online security.

(312 words)

Here are my First Comment and Second Comment.

Multiple Online Identities

I have always considered the ability to have multiple online identities as a useful tool in life. It allows me to practice selective online branding, a skill which I am certain is crucial in this ever changing online world, where everything we do is monitored and the shroud of anonymity is slowly wearing off.

Benefits of having multiple online identities

With regards in managing online identities, one can easily create a separate and new entity for themselves to serve a specific purpose. For example, in the context of this module #MANG2049, we are going to be taught on how to create a digital profile. Where various digital platforms encompassing of ‘LinkedIn’, ‘Twitter’, ‘Blogs’ and ‘Instagram’ will be established to selectively show ourselves to strangers. The goal is to create and portray a desired image of ourselves to potential employers. As the saying goes “What you can see, is what we showed you”, this can be applied to the online platform with great effectiveness compared to real life. This can be done with tools like ‘Tor’ where anonymity can be skillfully skewed in the advantage of the user.

With multiple online identities, one can also have access to larger social circles. Now the ability to be someone and anyone without the stigma of personal details being tethered online, facilitates the process of creating “fake” identities for the user to join different communities (Masters, 2011).

Clinton’s Online Presence – click to enlarge

Downside of having multiple online identities

A powerful tool will definitely have its drawbacks, with the ability to create different personas online, one can easily abuse it to partake in unethical activities. Such activities includes “Catfishing”, where fake identities are made to trick people into having a relationship with them.

With multiple online identities, a substantial amount of effort is needed into maintaining and managing them. Without it, the entire concept can easily backfire and inflict irreparable “harm” to ones reputation. This is one of the reasons why people avoid having multiple online identities as it causes “too much pressure” (Bychawski, 2013).

Conclusion

In my personal opinion, I strongly believe that one should learn the skill of selective online branding in regards to multiple identities, being a marketer myself, the importance of personal branding echoes within me and I would definitely treat my online identities as method of advertising. Although a great deal of effort is needed to maintain and manage it, “I’m not telling you its going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it!” -Art Williams.

(415 words)

References

Masters, A. (2011). Identity on the Internet: The pros and cons of anonymity | | Independent Editor’s choice Blogs. [online] Blogs.independent.co.uk. Available at:http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/09/19/identity-on-the-internet-the-pros-and-cons-of-anonymity/ [Accessed 02 Nov. 2015].

Bychawski, A. (2013) Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner explains why he is not on Twitter. Accessed 02/11/15 fromhttp://www.nme.com/news/arctic-monkeys/73467

Useful links on key words

http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2013/05/17/how-an-online-reputation-can-hurt-your-job-hunt/

http://lifehacker.com/5854203/how-to-create-a-fake-identity-and-stay-anonymous-online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264053/Catfishing-The-phenomenon-Internet-scammers-fabricate-online-identities-entire-social-circles-trick-people-romantic-relationships.html

https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/19/online-identity-authenticity-anonymity