Identity is becoming a fluid concept, encompassing different domains of the self.

How are identities

affected by technologyand digital tools? What is the role of art in shaping this notionOne of the most
interesting aspects of our relationship with technology is the way we relate to other people and
createnew identity narratives through it. Internet, social networks and p2p tools have amplified this
phenomenon, enabling theramification of larger networks built around individuals. As a consequence,
personal narratives are linked to virtual (andreal) dimensions of social, economic and artistic fields.
Digital identity becomes, therefore, the individual unit of a largerdigital culture environment

1 Introduction

As extensively debated, nowadays itis possible to recognize that digital isan essential substance that
constitutesthe basis of our cultural production aswell as virtual identity. In fact, virtualidentity should
not be seen exclusivelyas a proliferation of the self in socialnetworks in form of profile or avatar.Instead,
it lies in the very deep sub-stance of digital: the fact that everyperson is translated from the physicsof
oxygen and carbon to the physics ofelectron, and the logic of bits. For thisreason become necessary to
questionwhat the digital is. Thus, it becomesnecessary to entail an ontological per-spective toward
digital. The researchpresented here combines the idea ofdigital identity with digital ontology.Exposing
issues like visual representa-tion and materiality, it aims to providethe conceptual tools for an under-
standing of the digital nature.

2 Digital Ontology
Your Digital Self: How to Present Yourself Online

If you’re like most people, you probably think that marketing is something you don’t need to worry
about. If it’s not part of your job description, or you don’t own a small business, then what would you
need to market? The truth is, if you’re serious about building a strong career in your chosen field, then
digital marketing is of increasing importance. What is your digital self? How can you best present
yourself online to improve your career prospects?

The Concept of the Digital Self

The digital self is the persona you use when you’re online. Some people maintain one or more online
identifies that are distinct from their “real world” selves; others have a single online self that’s more or
less the same as the one they inhabit in the real world.

Why is the digital self so important for your career? The simple reason is that once you go online as your
real self, using your own name or appearance, you have an online presence that can be traced back to
you in the real world. Your online presence is hard to hide, difficult to control, and easy for recruiters
and hiring managers to find. Because of this, it’s important to manage your online identity carefully, to
ensure that your public image—your brand—is presented in the best possible light.

By doing so, you reap a number of advantages:

You have more control over your digital identity. It’s not possible to have 100% control, but by building
your own online presence you’ll always maintain the lion’s share.

You can build a consistent identity, and reduce the impact of problems that might put hirers or
recruiters off contacting you. Think of the damage control that celebrities do when salacious stories start
circulating—it’s this kind of approach, but on a much smaller scale.

You have the chance to develop your own reputation as an expert or thought leader in your industry.
This can mitigate the negative effects of issues such as employment gaps or an otherwise spotty work
history.

Elements of the Digital Self

Your online identity is like an investment. You start out with a small amount of capital, and the way you
use it over time determines how much you end up with later on. The difference is, it’s actually a lot
easier to control your online identity than it is to predict the stock or real estate markets.

What goes into building your digital self? It can and does include everything you say and do under your
own name. Some elements of your digital self include:
Digital self components

Digital self components

Developing Your Identity with Online Content and Social Media

Given that your online behaviour makes a huge impact on how you present your digital self, it’s
important to always use social media with care and consistency—always aware of how your personal
brand can be affected by what you say and do. Always assume that potential employers will perform an
online search, so make sure that everything they find is positive and professional.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is always the best place to start when you’re building your professional identity. It’s the world’s
biggest online professional network, and both hiring managers and recruiters use it to find and vet new
talent. It’s always cheaper, faster, and overall easier to hire via a referral than to open up a job to
applicants, so make sure you’re the one people are referring, by building a strong and active LinkedIn
presence. Complete your profile and keep it updates; join and participate in groups; build up a network
of connections—then ask those connections to write recommendations you can include in a resume or
job application.

Twitter and Facebook

If you think Twitter is not appropriate for professional purposes, think again. It’s actually a valuable tool,
giving you the chance to follow and chat informally with people in your industry. The beauty of Twitter is
that it can be whatever you want it to be. If you want it to be a place for building your professional
digital identity, make it happen by following industry experts, leaders, hiring managers, recruiters, and
other people you want to hear from. And don’t be shy: Twitter is a public forum, so get involved in
conversations, and tweet your own thoughts too.

Even Facebook can be useful in this way, if you’re following the right people. It’s the most popular social
media platform in the world, with more than 1 billion unique users, so there’s huge potential there for
developing professional connections, especially when used in conjunction with LinkedIn and Twitter.
Create a Personal Blog

Have unique ideas about your industry that you want to share? Creating a personal branded blog is a
great way to start sharing your own content, and blogging offers some unique advantages. You have the
chance to develop your thoughts in much greater depth than on social media, and this makes it easier to
truly define who you are and what you can offer in terms of professional skills.

Read our earlier post on a guide to the different blogging platforms.

As technology continues to rapidly advance, individuals and society are profoundly changed. So
too are the tools used to measure this universe and, therefore, our understanding of reality
improves. Boundaries of Self and Reality Online examines the idea that technological
advances associated with the Internet are moving us in multiple domains toward various
"edges." These edges range from self, to society, to relationships, and even to the very nature
of reality. Boundaries are dissolving and we are redefining the elements of identity. The book
begins with explorations of the digitally constructed self and the relationship between the
individual and technological reality. Then, the focus shifts to society at large and includes a
contribution from Chinese researchers about the isolated Chinese Internet. The later chapters of
the book explore digital reality at large, including discussions on virtual reality, Web
consciousness, and digital physics.

It's important to create limits in regards to who we follow, what sort of content we
consume, and how much time we spend on the internet. First and foremost,
they’re necessary for our safety. As dangers like hacking and catfishing loom, it’s
imperative to set up barriers to protect our personal data and identity from
strangers online, such as increasing our privacy settings or limiting the amount of
personal information available on the internet. 

D. BOUNDARIES OF SELF ONLINE

- It's important to create limits in regards to who we follow, what sort of content
we consume, and how much time we spend on the internet.
-“world is your oyster” and Shakespeare’s statement “all the world’s a stage”

- “Totus mundus agi histrionem” (all the worlds plays the actor) saying by Marjorie B. Garber (2008)

- According to Brym and Lie (2006), the values, roles and norms are all around. However, each individual
essentially “handpicks” those standard or roles that appear or useful to them.
- Early as 5 to 7 years old

- Individual makes choices according to his or her perceived benefits.

1.) The private versus public

2.) The online or individual identity versus the social identity

Impact of social media

- Stalking, identity theft, personal attacks, and misuse of information are some of the
threats faced by the users of social media. Most of the time, the users themselves are to
blame as they end up sharing content that should not be in the public eye.

The positive aspects of social media

While virtual interaction on social media doesn’t have the same psychological
benefits as face-to-face contact, there are still many positive ways in which it can
help you stay connected and support your wellbeing.

Social media enables you to:

 Communicate and stay up to date with family and friends around the
world.

 Find new friends and communities; network with other people who share
similar interests or ambitions.

 Join or promote worthwhile causes; raise awareness on important

issues.

 Seek or offer emotional support during tough times.

 Find vital social connection if you live in a remote area, for example, or
have limited independence, social anxiety, or are part of a marginalized
group.

 Find an outlet for your creativity and self-expression.

 Discover (with care) sources of valuable information and learning.

The negative aspects of social media

Since it’s a relatively new technology, there’s little research to establish the long-
term consequences, good or bad, of social media use. However, multiple studies
have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for
depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.

Social media may promote negative experiences such as:

Inadequacy about your life or appearance. Even if you know that images
you’re viewing on social media are manipulated, they can still make you feel
insecure about how you look or what’s going on in your own life. Similarly, we’re
all aware that other people tend to share just the highlights of their lives, rarely
the low points that everyone experiences. But that doesn’t lessen those feelings
of envy and dissatisfaction when you’re scrolling through a friend’s airbrushed
photos of their tropical beach holiday or reading about their exciting new
promotion at work.

Fear of missing out (FOMO). While FOMO has been around far longer than
social media, sites such as Facebook and Instagram seem to exacerbate
feelings that others are having more fun or living better lives than you are. The
idea that you’re missing out on certain things can impact your self-esteem, trigger
anxiety, and fuel even greater social media use. FOMO can compel you to pick
up your phone every few minutes to check for updates, or compulsively respond
to each and every alert—even if that means taking risks while you’re driving,
missing out on sleep at night, or prioritizing social media interaction over real
world relationships. 

Isolation. A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that high usage of

Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram increases rather decreases feelings of
loneliness. Conversely, the study found that reducing social media usage can
actually make you feel less lonely and isolated and improve your overall
wellbeing.

Depression and anxiety. Human beings need face-to-face contact to be

mentally healthy. Nothing reduces stress and boosts your mood faster or more
effectively than eye-to-eye contact with someone who cares about you. The more
you prioritize social media interaction over in-person relationships, the more
you’re at risk for developing or exacerbating mood disorders such as anxiety
and depression.

Cyberbullying. About 10 percent of teens report being bullied on social media

and many other users are subjected to offensive comments. Social media
platforms such as Twitter can be hotspots for spreading hurtful rumors, lies, and
abuse that can leave lasting emotional scars.
Self-absorption. Sharing endless selfies and all your innermost thoughts on
social media can create an unhealthy self-centeredness and distance you from
real-life connections.

Warning signs indicating a pathologic use of the internet

 Hours of sleep reduced in exchange for time spent online

 Checking emails or messages multiple times a day
 Lying about the amount of time spent online when alone
 Developing anger when access to internet is not allowed
 Altered time-perception while online
 Spending time online in place of studying and/or practicing sport or socializing activities
 Developing new relationships with people met online and neglecting the old friends
 Spending time online instead of being with family or friends
 Developing distress and irritation if online is erupted
 Contravening the established time limits for internet usage
 Developing frustration and moody attitudes when not online
 Developing anxiety and feeling pressed to get back online when away from the computer .
 Losing interest in activities formerly enjoyed before internet was available