When creating my typology, I noticed there are particular applications that I spend as a visitor. Usually on these networks, I am looking to gain some knowledge or information. In places like Reddit, Twitter or Tumblr I am simply an observer of posts, articles or questions that have been asked. On the visitor’s side, I am typically looking to get in and then get out once I find what I need.
On the resident side even though I do not overly engage I do spend a lot of time in these networks sending some comments, answering questions, and giving feedback… I use applications such as WhatsApp to connect and chat with certain groups of people. Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are other groups I connect with and act differently on each platform. I feel more comfortable on these apps as the connections and conversations are more on a personal interest level and comfort.
A piece of advice that was once given to me back at the beginning of my post-secondary education was always to be aware of your presence on the internet and how much you place out there. I always do my best to ensure my digital footprint is not large on any particular site and if I am there quite often, I maintain a certain type of anonymity.
On average I feel I am more as a resident in certain networks due to how much I engage and use them. As time goes on though there are certain applications may move around depending on the advances they make. An example of one application is ‘Facebook’ this app is starting to move into the visitor’s spectrum as I find myself simply checking in and leaving no longer engaging within the network.
Nicely articulated, Radhika. I find it so helpful to read others’ thoughts on this typology.
As I’ve noted in some of my other comments, I have been more of a visitor than a resident in the social media world. However, that has changed over the past year for one platform – Reddit. I started using the platform for some research I was conducting, and became fascinated with range of topics being discussed, especially the guitar player threads. I’ve been a musician for decades, and found myself able to add genuine value to newer players by answering questions that I had worked my way through over the many years. For me, this has become a genuine open learning space, and I have now benefited from the knowledge of other players around the world.
That said, I have also found these open spaces tough to navigate at times, as there can be quite a bit of dismissive and disrespectful communication. A question I have for everyone is “what do you consider the cost/benefit of having an online presence, and how does this impact your choices in professional and personal online interaction?”
Thanks for you comment Russ. I agree I started just this year using reddit a bit more from just stories or instructions and have been reaching out into the community to ask questions I have and if I have an answer than doing my best to provide it.
“what do you consider the cost/benefit of having an online presence, and how does this impact your choices in professional and personal online interaction?” I find having an online presence helps in keeping up with what is happening around the world through news, videos, blogs, videos etc. in a more immediate form. Rather than it getting lost in translation by new channels, commercials, interaction in real life acting like a game of telephone.
We have the access to know, look and reach out for answers on whatever we want these days. I also find benefit in online interaction through professionally networking and personally keeping up with people I have interacted with in life. If not for Facebook a lot of folks I was friends with from High School would probably not stay in touch. Same with friends I made the one year I lived and studied in India. I made a lot of good connections throughout my life and I find the ease of connecting and keeping up with them greatly beneficial. Professionally I have also see the benefit as you can get greater advantage in looking for work by being connected and interacting with folks. My first ‘professional’ job I got through a networking connection I kept in touch with on LinkedIn
Nice reflections Radhika. I noticed you have youtube on the resident side, do you have your own page and are you willing to share??
Hi Matt,
Thank you. My youtube page has mostly been about sharing playlists of a amalgamation other videos I find interesting or use when it come to academic video sharing.
Great map, Radhika!
I can appreciate the advice you were given about being aware of your internet presence. I also was given advice to never share your birthday online. The reasoning was due to easier access to identity theft. As I have many concerns around privacy, I am often not sure where I should draw the line with sharing personal details. With your fantastic work in IT, do you have additional guidance to share around your mention on maintaining anonymity?
~Marni
One thing I do regularly is refresh all my privacy setting on each platform. There are also’s more permissions, settings and applications that use information you dont realize your sharing. Apple Iphones have a lot of setting that are turned on for certain functionality but not actually needed. A youtube called “Payette Forward” can walk you through a lot of setting that are unnecessarily on. So take a look at some of there videos and see. Also every 2-3 month look and update privacy and permission setting on social media networks.
I think it’s really interesting to see how we all use different technology every day, please tell me that you use TikTok for the latest dance trends 🙂
If only I had that much confidence I would probably enjoy it but I am to hesitant and shy to place my presence out there like that.