Who are you, exactly?

photo credit: Jason A. Howie via photopin cc

I’d like to make a bold assumption that most of you reading this post has at least 1 social media account. Question is, for each platform, do you only have 1 identity, or multiple?

 

Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity.

Mark Zuckerberg

Hmmm? If so, why do people have multiple identities online? For privacy or a separation from work and play?

Compiled below are viewpoints for or against having multiple identities.

FOR:

• Separation of professional and personal life

A main concern of jobseekers or employees is if their (potential) employers search them up and look into their private life. Other than whatever they post online, they may not want their employers to judge them based on communities, causes or anything they support. Thus, having separate accounts could minimize the bias.

Reppler‘s infographic illustrates the possibility.

Besides, there is an advantage to having separate accounts, which can benefit both employers and employees. We know that Facebook has turned slightly to the direction of sharing information and news through videos or articles. Let’s say employer A (Professional Marketer) and employee B (Hobby: Gaming) has added each other on Facebook, employee B always posts videos and articles about games, would employer A be interested at all? S/he might even be annoyed. Hence, it would be good if employee B uses a professional account when adding the employer.

• Anonymity – for personal reasons

Certain discussion pages may be of sensitive topics, i.e. medical information. Users may choose to stay anonymous/log in with another identity as they don’t want others to know who they are and why they are searching such information. The Internet is RICH with information, should identity be a restriction to whether one gets what they need online?

AGAINST:

• Excluding valuable people

If you meet problems that are work-related, you would instinctively post it on your ‘professional’ identity. However, you could be missing some valuable help. Due to the multiple identities you have, people you add in each are definitely going to be different and this can put yourself in a relatively disadvantaged situation – Help could be gotten from your ‘personal’ identity.

• Real v.s. Fake

If one has multiple identities, which exactly, is the ‘real self’? Is the online community eventually just about one online profile connecting with another online profile, and not one person connecting with another? Can we still differentiate?

 

I find it hard to answer this, as I personally have separate accounts too. Despite having so many questions about authenticity and privacy, I’ll still maintain my stand – It’s good to have more than 1 online identity because of privacy issues.

What about you?

(446 words)

 

References:

Despite Facebook Dominance, Social Networks Grow More Splintered – Liz Gannes – Social – AllThingsD. Available at: http://allthingsd.com/20110101/the-social-webs-big-new-theme-for-2011-multiple-identities-for-everyone/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Facebook’s Zuckerberg: “Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity” | MichaelZimmer.org. Available at: http://www.michaelzimmer.org/2010/05/14/facebooks-zuckerberg-having-two-identities-for-yourself-is-an-example-of-a-lack-of-integrity/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Managing Your Online Image Across Social Networks | The Reppler Effect on WordPress.com. Available at: http://blog.reppler.com/2011/09/27/managing-your-online-image-across-social-networks/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

One identity or more? — BuzzMachine. Available at: http://buzzmachine.com/2011/03/08/one-identity-or-more/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Should I Keep My Personal and Professional Identities Completely Separate Online? Available at: http://lifehacker.com/5898370/should-i-keep-my-personal-and-professional-identities-completely-separate-online [Accessed December 1, 2014].