Blog #2

How would you describe your current personal and professional digital identities? What challenges or tensions do you notice between them?

My Personal Digital Identity

At the moment, my digital identity is almost entirely personal. Instagram is where I am most active, and I treat it like a digital scrapbook. I post photo dumps from my semester abroad in Utrecht, dinner dates/small trips with my partner, and fun moments with my friends. Even though my account is private, I am aware that I have followers I do not really know, which makes me a little more cautious about what I share. Still, I would describe myself as having a strong Resident identity on Instagram, since I use the platform as a social “place” where I connect, interact, and leave a visible footprint (White & Le Cornu, 2011).

My Professional Digital Identity

By contrast, my professional digital identity is underdeveloped. I do not currently use LinkedIn, which feels like a gap, and the only professional traces I leave online are through Facebook. That platform has mostly served a functional purpose, such as coordinating with workplace group chats or listing past jobs and schools. To me, this feels more like a Visitor identity because it is goal-oriented and leaves very little behind once the task is complete (White & Le Cornu, 2011). This imbalance means that when people search for me online, they will mainly encounter my personal presence rather than my professional self.

Layers of Identity Online

Rowland and Estevens (2024) help me view my digital presence in a new light. They argue that digital identity is layered and constantly shifting. Part of it comes from digital identification, such as my logins and accounts, which form the “official” aspects of who I am online. Another part is self-presentation, which resonates most strongly with my Instagram use, since the photos I post are curated snapshots of how I want to be seen. Finally, there is the datafied self, which refers to the version of me that platforms create through algorithms based on my online behaviour (Rowland & Estevens, 2024). This reminds me that even if I selective about what I post, my digital identity is never entirely within my control.

Tensions and Challenges

The biggest challenge I notice is the imbalance between my personal and professional sides. My Instagram shows a lot about who I am socially, but my professional presence is almost invisible. I enjoy sharing my life in ways that feel authentic and connected, yet I wonder how future employers might interpret the absence of a professional footprint. There is also a tension between privacy and visibility. While I am mindful of what I post, having followers I do not personally know shows the reality that I cannot always control who sees my digital self.

Looking Ahead

I imagine my digital identity will need to evolve into something more balanced. I want to preserve the authenticity of my personal Instagram presence while also creating a professional space that reflects my academic and career goals. Both White and Le Cornu’s (2011) continuum and Rowland and Estevens’ (2024) layered approach remind me that digital identity is not static but fluid, shifting depending on context, motivation, and even the influence of algorithms.

References

Rowland, J., & Estevens, J. (2024). “What Is Your Digital Identity?” Unpacking Users’ Understandings of An Evolving Concept in Datafied Societies. Media Culture & Society, 47(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437241282240

White, D. S., & Le Cornu, A. (2011). Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v16i9.3171