Seeking Your True Self in the Virtual World
The question of identity has always been a central theme for many, in particular the youth. Today, as we enter a new age of Internet technology, the quest for defining oneself has shifted online. While many, especially the younger generation, embrace the liberation that digital communities offer, others are apprehensive of the dangers that lurk in the virtual world. The anxiety is not entirely unjustified. Nevertheless, the truth is the benefits that accompany online communities far outweigh its drawbacks. According to Daniel Chandler, author of “Identities under Construction”, and Danah Boyd, an American researcher known for her works on social network sites, online tools such as personal home page and MySpace are efficacious instruments which empower its users to create virtual identities and socialize with friends, family, and like-minded individuals.
Online communities have open up a new dimension of identity exploration and relationship building that is otherwise impossible in real life. Oddly, the seemingly distanced and impersonal medium encourages people to be more candid and truthful than they normally would. Things that one might left unsaid in real life are openly discussed in the digital world, thus providing a somewhat more truthful representation of one’s multifaceted nature.
Online community is commonly used to refer to a network of people interacting by means of Internet Web sites, email, chat rooms, forums, and other online applications. Examples of online communities include MySpace (Boyd, 2006) and a network of personal home pages connected through hyperlinks (Chandler, 2004).
Surfers Beware!
Before looking into how are digital communities is beneficial to us, we must first acknowledge the dark side of digital networks. Cyberspace, due to its anonymity nature, is a constant concern for adults, especially parents. Teens falling preys to people with malicious intents are dreaded nightmare for many parents. Just like the real world, the
Online communities have open up a new dimension of identity exploration and relationship building that is otherwise impossible in real life. Oddly, the seemingly distanced and impersonal medium encourages people to be more candid and truthful than they normally would. Things that one might left unsaid in real life are openly discussed in the digital world, thus providing a somewhat more truthful representation of one’s multifaceted nature.
Online community is commonly used to refer to a network of people interacting by means of Internet Web sites, email, chat rooms, forums, and other online applications. Examples of online communities include MySpace (Boyd, 2006) and a network of personal home pages connected through hyperlinks (Chandler, 2004).
Surfers Beware!
Before looking into how are digital communities is beneficial to us, we must first acknowledge the dark side of digital networks. Cyberspace, due to its anonymity nature, is a constant concern for adults, especially parents. Teens falling preys to people with malicious intents are dreaded nightmare for many parents. Just like the real world, the
References: 1) Daniel Chandler (2004). Identities Under Construction. 2) Danah Boyd (2006). Identity Production in a Networked Culture: Why Youth Heart MySpace.