Digital Identity Mapping

I hold many identities within the digital world. When going through the mapping process of where my online identities are categorized, it was fascinating to see all the different apps and sources I use favourably on one page. It is eye-opening to see how I am impacted by the internet and how it had made a difference. Before the mapping process, I googled myself. Unfortunately, my name did not pop up as it was overtaken by a former mayor of Canada, Michaëlle Jean. Over a few more searches, I did find my Facebook. However, it did not display my full online presence. Since Google did not help me, I went to another source, my email, as it does holds so much information about my online presences, including my subscriptions, promotions, updates and much more. After interpreting each category, I realized that most of my online presences intertwine with other categories, and it also shows how often I use that media for different reasons. I am going to break down my different personalities and discuss how each group coincides with them within the digital world.

In my opinion, I believe that my personality online differs based on the diverse platforms I use. For the significant social media, Instagram and Facebook, they both hold different purposes of the app. However, sharing the same goal, which is sharing personal or other content with others and having them see your posts, is the similarity. For Instagram, I post favorable photos due to my liking, and then I wait for the response of other for my pictures by checking the “likes” I received or seeing how much followers I have gained, communicating with me that they like my content. I also tend to follow my favorite celebrities to see their lives and catching up with them. On my Instagram page, I realized that when I post photos, I like to post about fun, positive things. The images would usually be full-body photos or headshots of me smiling, and the photos would use minimal filters (for mostly lighting). I would showcase my talents, such as singing, acting in plays, drawing or painting, or other things I would be involved. I tend to share motivational thoughts and try to keep my page uplifting as well as positive. My page is like a book, signifying all the fun things I have experienced or things I have accomplished over time. As for Facebook, it is a bit different. On Facebook, I share mostly funny memes or videos and always share jokes with my audience, which would consist of High School and College friends. I would tag people on posts, share my opinions about specific topics, and react to other posts my “friends” would share. At most times, I do share my accomplishments, and I would usually look for comments or feedback; however, most of my content on this site is mostly comical and very relaxed. I mostly anticipate the “reactions” based on my posts and see who likes or enjoy them. Of course, I do not share any derogatory or harmful content on my pages, either on Instagram or Facebook, as I am very mindful of my audience and I would not want to hurt anyone based on my post. On both apps, friends, family members, and even old teachers are watching my page and due to that, I am careful about what I post. 

Another social media I use is Snapchat. Although Snapchat is popular amongst my generation, I don’t share content on it as much compared to the others. I mainly use Snapchat for communication purposes. It is interesting to see how on Instagram, I have more of an adventurous, positive, talented persona, but on Facebook, I have more of a comical, funny side.

As for my other identities, my professional status is one of them. For my professional status, it is very different compared to my social identity. Apps such as LinkedIn, Blackboard and Indeed are great examples of this role. When looking in these apps, I appear to be sophisticated, stoic, and straight-forward. I am very social on all the media; however, for my professional character, I use different vocabulary and the changed context for an employer or professor to see me in a different light. When comparing my avatar of Facebook to LinkedIn, they both show a very different view of who I am. On Facebook, I am more casual and more relaxed, but on LinkedIn, I wear a suit and appear to be more serious. I conveyed a different sense of character, and this might interest an employer just by looking at how I present myself online. In Blackboard, this contributes to my education, and within this app, I receive my grades, feedback from my professors, and participate in class discussions. Whenever class discussions occur, I tend to think more critically and discuss in a manner that shows me as a student who is learning and exploring. Between Blackboard discussions and Facebook posts, the written communication are drastically different.  

For my next online identity, I can identify myself as a “shopper”. For this category, it was interesting because I don’t usually view myself as a shopper. However, when going through the sources I use, I noticed that I am a huge online shopper compared to being a regular, in-store customer. Marketplaces such as Amazon, Chegg, Walmart, Expedia/ JetBlue, StubHub, Old Navy, and HP, all holds different purposes, and they have provided me with either my needs or wants. Amazon is the top source I go to whenever I want or need an item. Looking at my order history, I frequently order electronics or tech or things I desire. When going through other apps, I realize they present advertisements based on technology due to my constant searches or purchases of those specific items. For purchase of clothes or other miscellaneous items, I search online; however, I go to the actual store after for more inspection and price analysis. This would apply to Walmart, Old Navy, and HP. With other apps such as Expedia or JetBlue, you can tell I am a travel enthusiast. Most of the time, I am assigned the date and price checker in my family, if we would like to travel together. I would sometimes search for interesting places to go and discuss that with my family for plans. With StubHub, that app shows that I’m interested in venues, Broadway shows, or concerts. I enjoy going to live shows and having the experience of getting to see my favourite artist or actor. As an online shopper, these platforms show my different interests, and it also shows how I spend my money.

One identity I had to think of would be my official or certified personality. With this type, I had to think of which variety of sources that utilize my personal information such as my birthdate, name, address, income status, sex, educational status and much more. Accounts such as Chase Bank, FAFSA, Samsung, the DMV, SUNY Oswego, and HP, are all excellent examples of how these types of mind prove my identity. Most of these are very private, and I only have access to them. With Chase Bank, I check and moderate how much I have in my account and moderate how much am I spending. With Chase, it mostly defines my monetary identity online, and it frames me as a person who is very cautious and meticulous about how I’m spending. I find myself checking this account more frequently due to the importance of budgeting. With this trait, this coincides with my “shopper” identity, as I do need to be attentive. The same goes for FAFSA. In FAFSA, I focus on what award I’m getting to further my education. It is significantly essential to moderate and to see what you have before spending because consequences may occur. After gaining a permit, I have gained an account with the DMV, and it keeps all my personal information and records safe. And as for SUNY Oswego, it is similar as it does hold my personal data, but also allows me to check up on my courses or other information that regards me as a student. With Samsung, they also hold my information such as my fingerprint, facial recognition, photos, videos, my sleep schedule, my walking pace (for my health) and etc. Because I am a customer of Samsung, they provide these features in order for my information to be safe and confidential. 

After analyzing my online presence, I realized that my online presence differs from my offline presence. Some platforms do match my personality in real life, such as my hobbies. Pandora Music, Pinterest, YouTube, Netflix, AMC Theatre, StubHub, 1iota, and Expedia are hobbies that I genuinely enjoy, and they each bring out an interest I am fond of. Within all that, music, travelling, arts and craft, shows and movies, concerts, and connecting with others, are all I am passionate about, and I do present that expressively when offline. However, there are parts of personality I cut off depending on what type of platform I use. Social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Gmail, are very different in their way and a different side of my personality is presented differently due to the demographics of the audience. Whenever I post, I tend to show the better or bright side rather than exposing all my unfortunate events. I believe that when posting about one’s self, it should be thought thoroughly as to how people may perceive you as an individual. Being able to have verbal, face to face communication is essential, and that may set more connection with one another. One habit I usually do before following, liking, or any other related terms on a social platform, is that I don’t accept anyone unless I have spoken to them, one on one, and gotten to know one another before exposing them to my online persona. This would be just a way for clarification between one another.

The most significant intake I have received from this assignment is that I am very active online, whether which platform I use. Every single day, hour, minute, second, I am connected to some sort of digital media, and it is not easy to stay away from. I realized how dependent I am on digital media, and it allows me to learn new things, to entertain myself, to flourish in my passions, and to connect with others. While doing the chart, I was so surprised to how many platforms I use for many different things. What I also learned is that many media intertwine and they serve different purposes. Facebook, for example, has many different uses for it. It is for connecting with your friends, looking at videos, expressing yourself, and reacting to various posts, as well as communicating. There are media in multiple categories and they can contribute to different aspects of my digital identity. 

I had some concerns regarding my digital footprint online. One concern I had was the major consumption of too much internet, whether it is social media or other types of digital media. I reevaluated myself over the semester and I realized that I spend most of my time on social media specifically. It took most of my time and it was at a point where I couldn’t put my phone down due to constant scrolling. So my decision was to delete both significant sources, which were Instagram and Facebook. It did had major setbacks as I am not fully aware of social trends and what’s going on now; however deleting these apps did help refocus my attention to important things and I am using my time productively. My main concern is the teens today as most of them are engulfed in different media whether it is Youtube, Netflick, Snapchat, or Instagram. How can we help them control their screen time? My other concern is that will my online presence currently affect my future? I am very cautious and mindful about what I put online but will the expectations change over time and will professionals or employers will be very picky due to my online presence? This is what I always wonder.

I’m glad that I did this activity because it made me more aware about what I use online and how I used them. Growing up with different media definitely impacted the way how I am today and I know technology will become greater in the future. I know for sure, the older I get, the more my digital identity will evolve and my preferences will look and be very different than what it is now today.