We barely exist anymore if we don’t exist online. As we move towards a more exposed global community, with increased information exchange online and decreased division between personal, professional, and student lives, shouldn't we be redefining the boundaries of acceptability? It is time we acknowledged the truth that modern technology has made evident: all those identities are us and we are more than the sum of our identities.
As students, we’re advised to exercise discretion over information revealed online: Don’t write anything offensive. Don’t be photographed drinking if you’re underage. Don’t “friend request” your boss. Keep a low profile; your online sins will come back to haunt you.
As young professionals, we’re pressured to do precisely the opposite: Develop your presence online to establish credibility. Create a profile on LinkedIn. Make a Facebook Fan page for your organization. Use Twitter to publicize your brand. Make lots and lots of “friends.”
How am I to deal with the (now permanent) online implication that I do? Do I clarify each “tweet” that references my username so readers on Twitter don’t misinterpret my character? Do I delete each post written on my Facebook wall that may unintentionally imply something incriminating? Should I remove each photograph with a drink in my hand, because that image may be accessed by a potential employer? And then there’s the issue of online appropriateness. Who should we share our online profiles with, and who shouldn’t we?
It’s exhausting and counter-intuitive to tailor our online profiles to suit each individual who connects with us online—former professor or otherwise. However, it would be naive to believe we can express ourselves freely online without repercussions. Anything we do has the capacity to end up on the Internet, and we must be mindful of this reality while making everyday decisions.
Of course, I know employers “Google” potential employees, and that anything I say or write on the Internet is forever archived online. And I know my parents and relatives scrutinize every online photo album I appear in.
Regardless, I refuse to spend my time carefully constructing an identity that perfectly pleases whoever sees me online. I’m just trying to keep it real—both online and offline.
Here are some useful resources on this subject -
1. India Currents article where above thoughts were expressed originally
2. Wikipedia - Online Identity, Online Identity Management
3. Mashup - 25 ways to manage your online identity
4. Oreilly Radar
5. Reputation Defender Blog
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