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Exploring self-expression online

As many of you have already been discussing X just made a significant change in preventing others from seeing which posts you’ve liked. While it has certain downsides, it’s been presented as a privacy feature, and one that gives you much greater control over how you present yourself online.

It got us thinking about how much of our real self we bring to our online personas. Some people place great value in the ability to craft an online identity distinct from the one they hold offline, while for others the boundary may not be so clear, or important. We welcome all authentic identities, and we wonder: do you represent your whole self online, or only parts of your whole self? If the latter, how do you choose what you bring to your online persona? Share your thoughts in the replies.

Created at 5:52pm, 13th June, 2024. Page last updated at 11:31pm, 15th June, 2024.

greybill 6/13/2024, 6:58:25 PM

Parts. Always.
I'm sorry if I disappoint some people now, but I'm not a stuffed donkey IRL. But for my kind content, people don't need to know my actual face or name. And I think the safest data is the one that's never recorded.

It might be something different if I would create content as a full-time job instead of a part-time hobby.

I also try to keep my accounts as free of politics as possible. They are supposed to be a safe space for fun internet spaceships, not IRL issues.

Paul 6/13/2024, 7:44:42 PM

Im very much myself online, I dont try to be someone else or act in a way I wouldnt normally so I suppose im my whole self.

However I obviously keep certain information secret as everyone would, I do not need to share every aspect of my life.

Sturmer 6/13/2024, 7:51:56 PM

I adhere to three fundamental principles:

1. Share only essential information to minimize the risk of becoming a target for social engineering. I have personally encountered instances where individuals attempted to manipulate me based on my personal data. Fortunately, they were unaware of which information was fabricated, which immediately alerted me to the fact that I was not communicating with a legitimate legal representative.

2. Approach all sharing, creation, and commenting activities with the mindset that my parents and children will see them.

3. Certain topics, including politics, race, sex, religion, and the best camera brand, are considered off-limits and should not be discussed.

Dave 6/13/2024, 10:17:14 PM

I generally agree with what Sturmer says for the most part, especially number 3. These subjects are private life as far as I'm concerned and if anyone starts talking about them to me, even in real life (other than maybe very close friends I have known all my life), I will generally just nod along and acknowledge what they are saying, before moving onto something else.

I think it also depends on the platform and the context. An example being how on linkedin everyone is so motivated and excited, every company and profession is the best thing since sliced bread. But they probably aren't quite so enthusiastic on an unidentifiable personal account when they aren't representing a company/have it labelled where they work. They are two different lives. The same goes for public figures and probably a lot of content creator influencers who perform a certain character/ persona online in public, and another in private.

The problem on a lot of platforms, as we know, Is that people tend to put themselves in one extreme camp or the other in a very tribal way. Like there is a battle to be won rather than having a reasonable discussion, an exchange of views and respect for each others right to hold an opinion. Therefore I find it best to try and keep your thoughts to yourself on the more serious subjects.

Lanah Tyra 6/14/2024, 5:23:07 PM

That depends on the online space. At some I'm being very restrictive and share as little as possible (like Facebook) at others, I feel that I can be more myself because the community is welcoming and kind (like JA)

But I agree with others that certain things are best to keep to ourselves.

FirestormGamingTeam 6/14/2024, 5:29:02 PM

With me, what you see is what you get, when you have PPD & EBD, creating an online "persona" is virtuality impossible.

This has led to me once having a VERY public mental health breakdown. So for me, I think it's important you are yourself with content creation and so on, obviously taking steps to keep yourself and your family safe is important.

Being recognised is a very odd feeling, I was out having lunch in Southampton and had a gentleman come up to me and say hello, I was a bit confused until he told me he plays Eve Online and is a big fan. That was quite pleasant.

Politics for me is a big no-no, I would never mix IRL politics with gaming content and I think it's not a good thing for any creator to do.

But also realise that content creation, regardless of size etc, is just supposed to be fun and to protect your mental health at all costs.

My input :)

mar1gold 6/14/2024, 6:38:27 PM

I think I see the internet as just an extension of my social life? so I wouldn't like something hateful or saying something mean because I wouldn't do that in reality either.

I guess I wouldn't want everyone to be able to access the more vulnerable parts of me - like more personal info about my life. However, I am the same irl hehe