Creating a visual map of my digital presence proved more challenging than anticipated. For nearly three decades, my digital engagement has been largely habitual and unexamined. Early tools such as Internet Explorer, WebCrawler, and Ask Jeeves contrast sharply with today’s Chrome, Firefox, and sophisticated mobile applications. What initially seemed straightforward required deeper reflection to distinguish between personal and institutional use, as well as visitor and resident modes. This process revealed how embedded and often invisible my digital practices have become, underscoring the value of intentional analysis in shaping one’s online identity.
My digital presence reflects a blend of personal and institutional engagement across platforms such as email, LinkedIn, learning management systems, and social media. Consistent with the framework outlined by Boyd (2010), my behavior demonstrates both “visitor” and “resident” modes. I act as a visitor in functional tasks (e.g., web searches, email) and as a resident in relational social media use.
Despite this, my overall digital residency remains relatively sparse. Outside of Facebook and Instagram, where interaction is more conversational and ongoing, my engagement across other platforms is largely passive or task-oriented. I rarely contribute original content, participate in broader digital discourse, or cultivate a sustained professional voice online. This limited residency suggests that while I maintain a presence, I do not consistently inhabit digital spaces in a way that fosters widespread visibility or influence.
My use of Facebook and Instagram functions as a “digital coffee table,” welcoming others into the ongoing narrative of my life through informal, authentic interaction rather than self-promotion. This relational approach is a strength but also reveals an opportunity to align my presence more intentionally with professional identity and thought leadership, particularly through my social networks on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Footnote: ChatGPT was used to refine the language in the final draft. All concepts and ideas are mine.
References
Boyd, d. (2010). Social network sites as networked publics: Affordances, dynamics, and implications. In Z. Papacharissi (Ed.), A networked self: Identity, community, and culture on social network sites (pp. 39–58). Routledge.
I have to agree with you Ariel, the visual map does take a bit of work. Every time I was about to publish I thought of something else that I did online. I was surprised at how ingrained the web is my life. As you mentioned, this process does encourage a re-examination of how we shape our online identity.
Thanks Ron – it almost felt like I was the only one. There is that tension between being online too much and neglecting being present in the real world that I sometimes feel that guilty of not encouraging enough.
Hi Ariel,
I liked how you described Facebook and Instagram as your “digital coffee table.” It’s a great way to explain how those spaces invite people into your life.
After using online platforms for so many years, it’s easy to forget how much of our identity is shaped by everyday tools like search and social media without us noticing. I think the balance between authenticity and professional presence is something many of us are trying to figure out.
Do you think MALAT will push you to use other open learning spaces like LinkedIn more intentionally for professional reflection, or do you see Facebook and Instagram remaining your main spaces for connection?
That is a great question. I often find myself Walking the Tightrope between spending too much time in the virtual space and neglecting the three-dimensional presence. There is also a little bit of personal imposter syndrome when it comes to publishing in spaces like LinkedIn that prevented me from expressing myself more online there. This program might be the catalyst.