Blog Post #1: Networking, Public Communication, and Digital Identity
In today’s digital world, networking through social media is more than just adding friends or followers. It means building and maintaining connections by sharing ideas, experiences, and information in online spaces. Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and X allow us to connect with classmates, professionals, and communities that share similar interests. By posting, commenting, and interacting, we become part of ongoing conversations that can lead to learning, collaboration, and new opportunities.
People join these online networks for many reasons. One big motivation is connection. Social media gives a sense of belonging and allows us to stay in touch with others while receiving feedback through likes and comments. Some people use these platforms to share their opinions or build a personal or professional presence. For students, networking can also help with discovering resources, learning from others, and even finding future career opportunities.
Sharing publicly online can be both rewarding and risky. On the positive side, public posts can help ideas reach a wider audience and create communities around shared interests. They also allow us to learn from different perspectives. At the same time, there are risks. Posts can be misunderstood, privacy can be affected, and content can last online longer than expected. Something shared casually can later be seen by people we did not originally think about, such as future employers or instructors.
This connects closely to the idea of digital identity. A digital identity is how we present ourselves online through our profiles, posts, and interactions, as well as through content that others share about us. It includes both what we choose to show and what is posted by others. Our personal digital identity might highlight our hobbies, opinions, and social life. Our professional identity often focuses more on our education, skills, and achievements.
The way we balance personal and professional identities affects how we use social media. Some platforms are more professional, like LinkedIn, while others feel more personal and casual. Many students try to separate these spaces, but sometimes they overlap. When different audiences see the same content, it can be challenging to manage how we are perceived. At the same time, this overlap can be helpful. A well-managed online presence can show who we are, support networking, and open up opportunities.
Looking at my own social media made me think about what I control and what I do not. I control what I post and what I choose to share. I do not always control tagged photos, comments from others, or how platforms display my content. This shows how important it is to be aware of privacy settings and to think before posting, especially since our digital identity is constantly being shaped.
References:
- How social media platforms shape digital identity and branding – codegrape community blog. (n.d.-a). https://blog.codegrape.com/how-social-media-platforms-shape-digital-identity-and-branding/
- Digitally literate. Networked Publics. (n.d.). https://digitallyliterate.net/03-create/evergreens/networked-publics/
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2025, November 27). Digital Identity. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_identity