Blog Post #4: Curating a Public Digital Identity in a Noisy Online World
Social media has become impossible to separate from professional life, especially for people in public-facing or trust-based roles. Journalists, educators, lawyers, and government officials are now expected to engage online while maintaining credibility and professionalism. The interview with Sophie Lui highlights how this shift has changed not only how people communicate, but also how they manage risk, identity, and responsibility in public spaces.
One clear benefit of engaging with a public audience online is access. Social media can open the door to new ideas, voices, and professional connections. Sophie Lui describes Twitter as a space where she continues to learn, discover writers, and engage with broader conversations beyond her daily newsroom work. For professionals and students alike, this kind of engagement can support lifelong learning and help build a professional learning network (PLN) made up of people who value critical thinking and credible information.
At the same time, engaging publicly online comes with real risks. Visibility often brings criticism, harassment, and misinterpretation. One major challenge is the growing difficulty of telling what is real and what is not online. Misinformation spreads quickly, often faster than corrections, and can confuse audiences who struggle to identify credible sources. Even accurate information can be taken out of context or reshaped to fit misleading narratives. For people in positions of trust, this confusion can damage credibility, even when they have acted responsibly.
Public figures face added pressure because their online presence is rarely seen as purely personal. An educator’s post may be interpreted as institutional messaging. A government employee’s opinion may be viewed as policy. Journalists, like Sophie Lui, also face gendered criticism and harassment that goes beyond professional feedback. These risks make it necessary to think carefully about what to share, how to share it, and when to engage.
Responding to negative comments and critiques requires balance. One key takeaway from the interview is the importance of pausing before reacting. Not every comment deserves a response, especially when it is abusive or rooted in misinformation. Muting or ignoring certain replies can reflect personal values rather than avoidance. When a response is necessary, it should remain respectful, factual, and aligned with employer social media policies. This approach helps maintain professionalism while avoiding unnecessary escalation.
Conversations about media literacy and factual information often lead to conflict because people bring emotions, beliefs, and identity into online discussions. When someone challenges misinformation, others may see it as a personal attack rather than a correction. Social media platforms also reward outrage and oversimplification, which makes thoughtful discussion more difficult. As a result, even well-intentioned efforts to promote accurate information can create tension.
Despite these challenges, having a PLN that values media literacy offers strong benefits. These networks provide support, accountability, and perspective when misinformation or harassment occurs. Sophie Lui’s experience shows how professional communities can step in to support one another during public criticism. A media-literate PLN helps individuals stay grounded and confident while navigating difficult online spaces.
Curating a public digital identity is an ongoing process. It requires setting boundaries, thinking critically about engagement, and accepting that not all interactions will be positive. While social media creates risks, especially around misinformation and public confusion, it also offers opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute responsibly. Engaging with intention allows individuals to participate in public discourse without losing sight of their values or professional responsibilities.