What does it mean to network using social media?
Today, social media plays an important role in our lives. Checking and using application such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. have become a normal part of our day to day lives. Social media allows for people to interact and connect with each other through technology. The interaction done through social media to expand our professional/personal company is known as “Networking”. Sites such as LinkedIn tend to be used more for professional networking, through sharing information with other users on the platform (Markham, M. J., et al., 2017).

How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?
When interacting, sharing and accessing information on social media, our main aim is to learn more about a specific topic. What we learn from the vast amount of individuals online with the the various amount of experience increases our expertise in the topic. This expertise usually carries on to our professional/personal lives, allowing us to excel in these fields (Rajagopa, K., 2012).

What are the risks & rewards of public communications?
Public communications is a great way for individuals to enhance their knowledge, and learn new things through the exchange of information with others from all over the world. Public communication also allows the exploration of different cultures and ideologies around the world.

On the other hand, public communication opens the door to some risks. One risk that is frequent is security. This is where individua’s data and personal information are compromised online through cyber-attacks and hackers. Another risk is online abuse. Online abuse occurs when an individual is faced with negative comments and slandering online from others. This usually effects people’s personal lives and can result in negative events to the person’s mental and physical health.

What is a digital identity?
“A digital identity is essentially the electronic equivalent of your identity in the physical world” (Government of Canada, 2021). As stated, a person’s digital identity is all the information, social media accounts, multimedia, posts, and comments that belongs to a specific person. All these factors make up that person’s digital identity.

Professional vs Personal Social Media affect of Digital Identity…
Social Media can be used for two main things, Personal and Professional use. Both approaches can effect one’s digital identity. Personal use can be very beneficial for connecting with friends and family. However, the posts and comments that can be shared on a personal social media account may not be appropriate for a professional setting. In other words, they may not be suitable to be shared with your supervisor or manager. The same goes for professional accounts. Things shared on there may be un-interesting or confusing to friends or family members.

How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?
Similar to the personal vs professional social media use, the digital identity is impacted by what is shared on the internet since it’s available for everyone to see. Networked publics can see wat is posted by an individual, and if something inappropriate is posted, then that could negatively impact their digital identity with their network. On the other hand if something positive is posted, that can increase their networks respect, and elevate their digital identity.

Reference List:
Understanding personal learning networks: Their structure, content and the networking skills needed to optimally use them
by Kamakshi Rajagopal, Desirée Joosten–ten Brinke, Jan Van Bruggen, and Peter B. Sloep. First Monday, Volume 17, Number 1 – 2 January 2012
https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/download/3559/3131
doi:10.5210/fm.v17i1.3559

Merry Jennifer Markham, Danielle Gentile, and David L. Graham American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book 2017 :37, 782-787

Sector, D. T. S. (2021, June 25). What is your digital identity? Digital Trust. Retrieved September 17, 2021, from https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/153.nsf/eng/00001.html.