Social+Networking

**Reflection: ** **-How do we define who we are, and shape or reaffirm our identity using social networks?**

Social networking sites are a great tool for people to meet others and share their daily lives with those they do not get to see on a daily basis. Social networks can keep distant friends and family close. Most social networking sites allow people to share photos, videos, and links so that we can communicate with others on our own time, at our leisure. We can also use social networking sites to define who we are. After all, the posts we display on the webpage are a reflection of who we are or what we would like to become.

One video I found, which brought my attention to social networking sites agreements, is short but yet informative when it comes to what users post on their sites.Social Networking Sites Own You. Although I do not have a LinkedIn site, I have heard many people tell me how much they approve of the site and how useful it is that I even thought about creating a profile for professional and career use. After watching this video, I changed my mind and thought against creating an account. Even if I post what I feel is a harmless photo, that photo could be interpreted in a different way (or even Photo-shopped) and since it would be owned by LinkedIn (according to their agreement) there would be little I could do to protect my identity. Someone I don't know could alter a photo and essentially ruin my online identity and others perception of me (even my career as a teacher). I have even heard of photos being sold to companies and used for advertising without those in the photo knowing about it (even in other countries!). Using a site such as LinkedIn seems it could potentially be detrimental to my online identity and career. That does not go to say that I am against all social networking sites, I just know now to be more mindful of agreements and to check the ever changing policies in order to protect my identity.

**Readings**

1) Boyd, Dana “Why Youth love Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life." Youth, Identity, and Digital Media . Edited by David Buckingham. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. http://www.danah.org/papers/WhyYouthHeart.pdf      2) Boyd, Dana & Hargittai, Eszter. "Facebook privacy settings: Who cares?" First Monday, Volume 15, Number 8 - 2 August 2010. []   3) Byrne, Dara N. “The Future of (the) ’Race’: Identity, Discourse, and the Rise of Computer-mediated Public Spheres." Learning Race and Ethnicity: Youth and Digital Media. Edited by Anna Everett. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Media and Learning. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2008. 15–38. @http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/dmal.9780262550673.015