Digital Identities
Kevin recently posted about a new book that looks good, entitled Digital Ego.
We have talked a lot to teachers for the past two years on Internet safety, cyber-based copyright, etc., and there is a genuine concern for student safety. Are we careful to warn against using too-revealing information about ourselves?
This topic interests me because you do gain a reputation through search. I chose some time ago to use my real name for this website. I wanted to build a reputation, a type of “digital identity.” I figured if someone knew my name, they ought to find me in my own place online.
In college, we never used our real names, we used handles. And I use handles too, for non-professional activity online.
There’s some saying I seem to recall… “You’re only as good as your reputation” or something like that. It’s a reminder that in this emerging stage of electronic culture, our identities are very vulnerable.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I was discussing the issue of real vs. anonymous identities online with my colleagues and it was the rambling librarian which took the crown by explaining how anonymity is beneficial in the short run, but disclosure allows one to be in a more defensible position on the long run. Indeed, reputation does play a big part in this, which is probably why more of us are using our real names for our blogs. This contrasts to the early Internet days, where anonymity ruled.
P.S. Thanks for the Screenflow tip. I’ve use it extensively, worth every dollar. Colleagues who’ve seen it want one too!
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Oops, the proper link is http://ramblinglibrarian.blogspot.com
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I think the shift to using real identities is a good thing. As a high school principal we are beginning annual homeroom assemblies for our students on digital identities. We start by sharing stories of grads and job applicants who don’t make the grade because their potential employer searches them on Google and comes up with their Facebook escapades.
Digitially documenting stupidity is not a good idea. We then explain that the opposite is true. if they contribute in a positive way towards the creation of knowledge and the exchange of ideas then good things happen.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
@ Kevin:
Glad you love the ScreenFlow. They just released an update; I haven’t had a chance to make a new screencast yet with it.
@Charlie:
Showing positive examples will likely do the most good; the Students 2.0 website is a great example, I think, of students being honest, but writing about something significant.
I think kids have to be kids, too, and if they want to participate online being normal kids, then a handle/alias is a real smart idea.
It’s good to hear you’re addressing this in your school!