What does it mean to network using social media?

In the day and age where the internet consumes our lives, we can look at this as a negative, but also a positive. One of those positives would be this exactly. Using Social media as a networking tool helps us continue making connections beyond just in person. These could be in educational and even professional contexts. It breaks distance barriers, allowing people all over the world to communicate, reach a larger audience, and consistently learn from each other, and quickly accomplish these tasks.  

How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

When looking at networked publics, these are different digital spaces that help groups of people connect and share content. A way that social media continues these patterns is through algorithms and common interests of viewers. One example I am thinking about is how many times I look at my shared videos from my sister. Most of them are videos that I have already seen or even sent her. There are many reasons that people will participate in Networked Publics. Some of them are someone’s personal or professional growth. Showcasing their talents, ideas, and helping build their careers on a different level. There are so many examples of this, but one that comes to mind is upcoming musical artists posting their covers or original songs on social media to boost the audience and engagement, all to help the sales of their released music. Another would be a way of personal expression. You can curate a social media platform and show the viewer who you are. This could be a persona of you or the real, raw, authentic version of yourself. Social media can also be used as a form of validation. Seeing the likes, comments, and interactions with a post can be a motivational factor. 

 What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

The rewards of public communications can be so amazing when they work. Some include access to better securing employment or continuing education in any field, boosting your target audience’s confidence in your profession, or building supportive connections and partnerships. But on the other end, you can experience the risk or the consequences. With the age of AI expanding fast, there can be concerns of privacy. Although even before AI, I can think back to a time where guest speakers from high school would  would stress the fact that the internet is forever. Under this category would could see audiences misunderstanding messages or the context of what they are viewing. Similarly, this could lead to grey areas which can be damaging to the publishers reputation. 

Digital Identity

What is a digital identity?

A digital identity isn’t just what you post on Instagram, it is a multifaceted system. Under this umbrella, we can see this as the content that you post, but also information and the online behaviours of each and everyone of us. This can be a person’s username, profiles which include pictures and videos, community or support groups you engage with, and even all the way to your search history. These do not just exist to share your online persona, it can also be an influential tool. These influences can be seen in employment, academics, social relationships, and even experiences as a consumer.     

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

In my personal life, my digital identity helps me connect with family and friends. I can use it as an entertainment or creative tool. At 11, I got my first device, while I did have my favourite shows or YouTube channels I liked, my most used app was Imovie. I loved creating little short films or trailers for little craft projects I had made. Professionally, my digital identity involves websites like linked-in to advance my future job opportunities as well as to network with like minded people in a professional environment. Another would be our class use of websites and university sites like Brightspace helping students work towards getting differing levels of achievements. The specific effects could be what they post and where they post it, different security or privacy settings put in place, and the way these messages or posts are delivered to the audience. In professional use post and content could be more polished and targeted to specific audiences, whereas with personal use, it could be more relaxed and what you want to post, not what an audience would like.   

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

Places where these identities intertwine are audiences, what you post, and where you post it which can be viewed by anyone. Again, the internet is open, but also forever. This merges with how posts intended for specific audiences can be seen by others and taken in a multitude of ways. When posting, commenting or using the internet in any way can become an obsessive thing. Making sure you are curating the “perfect post” can cause feelings of pressure to make it seamless. This can lead to negative thoughts or could even take a toll on your mental health. The constant comparison to other people or professionals can leave feeling anxiousness, stress, or even lower self-esteem more prevalent. An example that I think could relate to this is a person who is working in the political sphere or a law enforcement officer. This is because their online presence is carefully curated and closely monitored by the public. What they post could positively or negatively affect them. 

 

Sources       

Personal Learning Networks.” Shift eLearning, https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/personal-learning-networks. 

“Understanding Personal Learning Networks: Their Structure, Content and the Networking Skills Needed to Optimally Use Them.” First Monday, vol. 17, no. 9, 2012, https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3559/3131.

Spracklen, Karl. “Identity-Making and Social Media.” The Digital University, edited by Michael Thomas et al., Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. SpringerLink, https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137405876_6. 

Stoller, Eric. “What is Digital Identity?” Eric Stoller, https://ericstoller.com/blog/what-is-digital-identity/.

World Economic Forum. The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society. Davos Press Conference, 2019. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-V7lyxrOmw.