My goal in cultivating my digital presence and identity is to create a cohesive and accurate representation of who I am. A quick Google search of my name reveals a digital identity that I have had very little input into. The top results include a Wikipedia page focused on my athletic career with Women’s Para Hockey of Canada (now outdated), my current workplace website (The Steadward Centre), a largely inactive LinkedIn profile created in 2021, and a previous employer’s website (Nordiq Alberta), where I have not worked since 2022.
Beyond these initial results, some content reflects my athletic background, while other pieces relate to my current professional work. However, most of this information has not been intentionally curated by me—it exists about me rather than being created by me.
The passive approach to social media that I have often taken connects to the idea of being “Googled well” (Schryver, 2013). Since I began using platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, I was consistently reminded that how I was perceived online could affect future employment and athletic opportunities. As a result, I aimed to maintain a neutral online presence, limiting what I shared rather than actively shaping how I was represented. However, my digital identity is not shaped solely by what I choose to share; it is also constructed through content created by others and the information that becomes associated with me — much of which appears prominently in search results beyond my control.
Moving forward, my goal is to become more intentional and active in shaping this digital identity. By contributing to selected platforms, I hope to build both confidence and comfort in maintaining a professional and authentic online presence.
To work toward this goal, I will take the following steps:
- Evaluate existing social media profiles and remove outdated or irrelevant information
- Update and actively maintain platforms I want to curate, particularly LinkedIn and this blog
- Use LinkedIn more intentionally by sharing and commenting on ideas that are personally and professionally meaningful
One key gap I identified while creating my technology use map using the Visitor–Resident Typology is my limited experience using social media as a “resident” rather than a “visitor” (White & Le Cornu, 2011). While some platforms appear closer to the “resident” end of the spectrum on my map, my use of them is still largely functional. Even when social connection is possible, I tend to consume content rather than actively contribute or engage.
To address this gap, I will dedicate structured time to actively engage on the platforms I have chosen to focus on. This will include exploring others’ profiles, contributing to discussions, and sharing my own perspectives. I will also draw on course readings and resources from LRNT 521 to guide my approach and develop more effective habits for online participation.
I will evaluate the success of this plan in two primary ways. First, at the end of LRNT 521, I will conduct another Google search of my name to assess whether my digital identity appears more cohesive and reflective of my current work and goals. Second, I will reflect on my own comfort and confidence in using social media as an active contributor rather than a passive participant. As cultivating a digital identity is an ongoing process, I will continue to monitor and refine my online presence beyond the duration of this course.
Footnote: ChatGPT was used to refine the language in the final draft of this reflection. All ideas are authentically mine.
References
Schryver, K. (2013, February 5). Who are you online? Considering issues of web identity. The New York Times blogs. archive.nytimes.com/learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/guest-post-who-are-you-online-considering-issues-of-web-identity/
White, D. S., & Le Cornu, A. (2011). Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9). doi.org/10.5210/fm.v16i9.3171
Hi Gen,
Very important point you make about being Googled well, and about your passive approach to social media. I also decided to be very careful with what I post on my social media (I only have a few apps, by the way) because something very “curious and unsettling” happened to me once. I took a trip to the capital of Brazil, Brasilia, and posted some photos of my trip on my Facebook page. A few days later, I saw that a so-called online friend had downloaded my photos, and created a post in their page describing how amazing her trip had been. I knew they were my photos because in one of them you can actually see my sister in the background…
After this episode, I realized that social media was not a safe environment, and made a conscious decision to adopt a passive approach as the one you describe. It’s interesting that while you’re now aiming to become more intentional and active, my experience pushed me in the opposite direction. It makes me wonder how we can find a balance between protecting ourselves and still building an authentic professional presence online.
Hi Christiane,
If I might say, you seem to have a really great grasp of the blogging tools here. My comment, although probably basic and rudimentary, is an honest appreciation for your blogsite. I hope you don’t mind if I observe and emulate elements of your style. I confess that I’m not an active participant in blogs or comments, outside of the typical social media circles, so if I imitate any of your style, please take it as sincere flattery.
Hi Gen,
I think you make a very good point in that there is a need to carefully curate your image of yourself. Being inactive in the online digital world leaves us potentially open to others creating our image, even those of us much less in the public eye then you have been. You can not stop others from posting about you, but you can provide your own authentic version.
Hi Gen,
I really liked how you clearly outlines your plan, it feels practical and intentional. The idea that your digital identity “exists about you rather than being created by you” really stood out to me.
I also related to taking a more passive approach to social media for the sake of being “Googled well”. It’s interesting how that can limit how accurately we are represented over time.
Your plan to intentionally engage more, especially on LinkedIn, seems like a strong and manageable starting point. What do you think you will feel most comfortable sharing first?
Kelly