[Photo by Paula May on Unsplash]

It is undeniable that digital technologies have saturated our lives, in the way we live and learn. There are countless groups, nets, sets, and collectives to be part of. From getting a degree to staying in touch with family and friends to building a business, all can be done online.

In the past, I strove to build a social identity as a wellness influencer. I aimed to have a ubiquitous digital presence by being on as many social media platforms and groups as possible. As Beetham (2015) stated in Building Digital Capacity:

The capacity to participate in, facilitate and build digital networks; to participate in social and cultural life using digital services and forums; to create positive connections and build contacts; to share and amplify messages across networks; to behave safely and ethically in networked environments. (p.1)

As I reflect on my own experience, building an online presence is indeed important and needed for academic and professional/vocational growth. However, if not managed well, it could take away the time from personal interactions that could lead to isolation and eroding interpersonal relationships. (Anderson & Rainie, 2018)

I have since learned to be more selective and mindful in choosing which digital platform to stay active in the intention to create a safe space to learn, contribute, and build deeper connections.

References

Beetham, H. (2015, Nov 10). Building capability for new digital leadership, pedagogy and efficiency [blog post].

Anderson, J. & Raini, L (2018, Apr 17) . The Future of Well-Being in a Tech-Saturated World [blog post]