Pattern: Digital Identity Panic

Summary	What steps can you take to introduce stability and reduce the apparent chaos of maintaining multiple identities across multiple social networks.
Status	seed	Confidence	0
details...		Group	Digital Identities

Problem

One of the characteristics of a post Web2.0 world is the wide range of social spaces within which one can maintain an online identity or presence. One effect of inhabiting multiple online spaces that one can feel a sense of discomfort or panic about ones digital identity - it may feel fractured or the boundaries between personal and professional may become blurred. THis can be In transition from one social network to another or collisions of social networks. A concrete example here would be a student offering friendship to their tutor on Facebook.

Context

This pattern occurs where individuals maintain more than one public profile/presence across differing social networks and/or where individuals maintain a profile in a space that does not clearly demarcate it's cultural use e.g. Facebook that can be used both professionally and personally.

Solution

Relax but be aware of the potential for collisions.

Anticipate potential for future collisions.

Create multiple profiles within a single that can be used to separate functions.

Set ground-rules for how you use the space and stick to them. Clearly indicate how you are using the space - is it for professional use or is it for personal use.

Related Patterns

list other patterns related to this one, under categories such as component, assisting, conflicting, uses this, etc.

This pattern includes "Authoritative Source" as a way to reduce the sense of fractured identity.

Notes, Links and References

Liabilities, potential risks, extensions, expected side-effects

Licensing

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