Going on the Internet is like attending a masquerade ball – each being could be putting on a mask as a facade, we can pick and choose which aspects we want to share with others.
Online Identities refer to how users create distinctive characteristics, personalities and signs to author our presence in the Web. (Angela Thomas)
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzuDcyR0WM&feature=youtu.be)
Survey results showed that more than 90% of recruiters and hiring managers reviewed potential candidates’ social networking profile as a part of their selection screening process.
Having a single online identity could be beneficial when you are looking for a job as the Google search engine would not filter your various profiles for the recruiters, they are all displayed.
(Source: Youtube video by Jerrom– Source: http://www.stjobs.sg/career-resources/job-application-guide/manage-your-online-presence/a/162477 )
A flip-side would be the dangers of online identity theft and scams which is a high risk in Singapore.
(Source: http://www.singaporenewsasia.com/tag/scams/)
Our attitudes towards different people varies in real life, so what more online?
“Different sites, different audiences, different purposes.”
– Lee, 2016
It is a norm now for people to have multiple social accounts to “market” themselves – as “It makes us more accessible to our audience and it is particular beneficial in terms of community engagement.” (Cristina Costa)
Personally, I have multiple online identities, and strongly believe that this gives me an avenue to depict myself professionally as I manage the various accounts in different contexts. I have adopted this approach of having separate accounts, as it shows that I know the clear distinction between work and my social life.
The major benefit of being anonymous would remove prejudices that are present in the real world such as racism, sexism and ageism. In addition, for people who may lack self esteem (those with disfigurements, stammers in their speech) can use the online platform as a way to build their confidence and have a voice.
However, this anonymous persona may lead to cyber-bullying which is a growing concern in Singapore.
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REFERENCES:
Retrieved 20 November 2017:
“Constructing and enforcing ‘authenthic’ identity online – Oliver L. Haimson & Anna Lauren Hoffmann”
http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/6791/5521
“University of Stalford : Coasta, C & Torres, R., 2011”
http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126
“University of Southampton: FutureLearn 2017”
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/learning-network-age/3/steps/263026
“PR fired over racist tweet”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/22/pr-exec-fired-racist-tweet-aids-africa-apology
Youtube video by Jerrom– Source: http://www.stjobs.sg/career-resources/job-application-guide/manage-your-online-presence/a/162477
“What is a Digital Identity”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJzuDcyR0WM&feature=youtu.be
“PR Executive fired overe racist tweet”
http://homepages.abdn.ac.uk/f.guerin/pages/teaching/CS5038/assessment/essays/essays_from_2006/groupC/Social%20Identities.html
“Who are we: A Look at Online Personas vs. Offline Personalities”
https://fordhamcyberculture.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/who-are-we-a-look-at-online-personas-vs-offline-personalities/
THOUGHTS 
Hi Denise! Great post on online identities. I absolutely agree with you on how it is a norm for people to have multiple social accounts to “market” themselves – I do so too. I think that you have brought up an excellent point on how anonymity could cause cyber-bullying. I was shocked to know that Singapore is 2nd worldwide in cyber-bullying google searches. Thanks for shedding light on this. I do use an anonymous identity when I blog on my personal blog and I enjoy the freedom that comes with being disassociated from my true identity. I guess, we should not forget that behind the keyboards, are real people with feelings and if we could just be a little kinder to each other, this would reduce the risk of cyber-bullying.
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Hi Denise, kudos to the well-thought-out post on the topic of online identities. I liked it how you broadened the perspective on this topic at hand and touched on issues such as identity theft, online scams and the tweaking of personality one portrays when connecting with different groups of people.
I believe each of us possess multiple personalities which come to life depending on who we interact in our daily lives. In the offline world, one might be the most caring and well-mannered person ever witnessed but be the complete opposite in the online world.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/australian-federal-police-allege-perfect-dad-has-darker-side-online/news-story/438b02e02d8b0ea30dcdf4a2b2e643f3
I would like to know your thoughts on the allowance of online anonymity. Does it do more harm than good? Also, should social networks hold a greater responsibility on combating cybercrime? Do you have any suggestions of policies that could be put in place the regulate order in the online world?
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Hi Timothy,
Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Firstly, I feel that there are pros and cons for online anonymity. The benefits would include the increase in online privacy as some internet users may want to avoid being observed by 1) hackers/ criminals 2) advertisers 3) employers/ supervisors 4) harrassment by people … etc the list goes on. Being online anonymously could be a good aspect as well as it allows people to have a voice and freedom of speech without being lashed at by netizens who disapproves your views. People who have self-esteem issues can use this as an opportunity to point out their views and opinions on things – could be for politics, school-related or just casual interest groups and communities. It is no doubt that the web is a dangerous place to be in, which brings us to the harms of being anonymous online – where it is a way where people mask their identities to commit crimes. There are two ends of the spectrum when it comes to being anonymous online – thus I feel that it cannot be measured in terms of it as having more harm or good on the Web, it depends on what agenda and purpose you have when using the Internet.
Secondly, I have found an article which states that 45% of consumers have been victims of cyber crimes. 1 in 6 victims report that they have lost funds more than $1298, and others include impersonations and false requests to reset passwords on social media accounts. In Singapore, many of us greatly rely on info-comm technologies. In this context, I feel that the government plays a huge responsibility in combating cybercrime. “The Cybersecurity Strategy” has launched a National Cybercrime Action Plan (NCAP). They are educating the general public via various media platforms and are providing one-stop self-help portals against scams. In addition, the government is strengthening legislation and the criminal justice framework so that cyber-criminals can be identified at a faster way and prevent criminals from taking advantage of their loopholes. Definitely, prevention is better than cure – which is why the government has prioritized educating and empowering the public to be safe of cyberspace. Partnerships has been built with IHLs (Institute of Higher Learning) to share the responsibility of fighting against such crimes.
Lastly, I would view it as more of tips and strategies on how you can be safe as an individual when you are online so as to prevent crimes and hacking from happening. One basic way to secure your own data online is to avoid opening unexpected email attachments and set your passwords wisely. This way, it reduces the chances of people hacking into your accounts to commit crimes. In addition, you can block third-party cookies and location data so that people cannot track your browsing habits. If you are browsing without proxy or VPN, you are broadcasting your IP address to any server that comes across which makes it easier to hack into your account to commit crimes.
There isn’t a perfect solution to regulate the online world, just like how in real life, there are still crimes happening despite having law enforcements implemented.
Therefore, I feel that the best way would be to do your own part to reduce the chances of cyber-criminals to see you as a potential target.
References:
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/45-of-consumers-are-victims-of/
https://www.csa.gov.sg/~/media/csa/documents/publications/singaporecybersecuritystrategy.pdf?la=en
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/131384-how-to-surf-safely-from-lastpass-to-tin-foil-hats-and-everything-in-between
http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/09/05/anonymity-privacy-and-security-online/
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Hi Denise!
Enjoyed reading your blog post as there are a lot of self-created visuals and videos.
I totally agree that our digital identity is a permanent collection of data about ourselves online. Hence it is important to maintain our reputation in the digital world. I tried to Google my name and was relieved that there is no inappropriate information appearing online. As you have said, ‘great resume will unlock great doors, but these doors can close because of what we do on social media.’ Facebook has become a common platform for employers to monitor their employees and making sure that they are not acting in a way that will tarnish the company’s reputation. Here are some examples that people was fired from their job due to their actions being posted online.
http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/05/25-facebook-posts-that-have-gotten-people-fired/first-day-at-boring-job
Do you think we have lost the freedom of speech in expressing online after seeing such cases of getting sacked due to our online identity?
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Hi Renee,
Thanks for taking the time to read my post!
“A study from CareerBuilder revealed that 70 percent of employers now use social media to screen job candidates before hiring them” this is a growing concern for many now. Nancy Flynn said that: “Management has a right and responsibility to monitor how employees are using social media at all times. If companies don’t pay attention, they may end up facing any number of serious problems.”
In my opinion, when it comes to our social media platforms, we should be tactful with what we post online.
In the link you provided, I feel that some of them are deserved to be sacked but some are not. With regards to sharing your personal social life – for example going to a party or having heavy drinking sessions or just having a fun night with your group of friends, I feel that these people should not be sacked as what you do in your personal life does not affect your work abilities and competencies.
However, if you’re posting inappropriate and provocative photos or confidential information, or bad-mouthing a former boss. This would be a reasonable termination. The company has to protect themselves as they have an image to uphold and portraying such online would be detrimental to the company.
This is my take on how people should be expressing themselves online, which is why I personally prefer that people adopt multiple identities online so that there is a clear distinction between work and play, public and private. This way, you would be able to have your freedom of speech to express your views without having your career in jeopardy.
References:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/should-companies-monitor-their-employees-social-media-1399648685
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2377-social-media-hiring.html
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