Digital Identity, Who Are You Online?

This week we talked a lot about Digital Dualism. When I think of Digital Dualism I think of Digital Identity.  Who are you online?  Are you yourself? Or are you hiding behind a different identity?  The TEDx video "10 reasons to Stop Apologizing for Your Online Life" makes you stop and think about who you are online.  With graduation nearing I find I am being more cautious about what I do online than I ever have in the past.  I like to think I am myself, that I do not hide behind a username.  The caution is more geared towards who I allow to follow my Social Media sites or what I post on my sites.  Although I have changed my name and my settings, my students have been able to find me because they are friends with my younger siblings.  I changed my name to protect my privacy, I do not see it as hiding.  Yet with these precautions, it has not been enough from preventing my students from finding me.  I would never post anything that could jeopardize my career in Education but that does not mean I need my students to have easy access to my personal life.

Ok back to the video.  As I was watching, I found myself thinking about what I could use from this video to teach my future classrooms about the internet.

• Your Real Self:  This point lead me to think about the effects of bullying.  I recently watch a video about bullying through the web.  A group of students posted a picture with the intent that feelings would be hurt.  Some find it easier to say things that they cannot say in person.  They hide behind a new identity.  It is important for students to realize that everything they do online can be traced back to them, creating their Digital Identity.
• These are Real Friends:  Victoria talked about how people need to stop and think before they hit confirm.  The people we add to our online should be those we actually know and like.  We do not need to add everyone just to increase the number of followers or friends we have on our Social Media sites.

These were the two main points that made me think about my future students.  Students should be able to be themselves whether in person or in front of a screen.  Our Digital Identity should mirror our "Real Life", not be two separate identities.

 ~ Miss Laing