What is a digital identity?

A digital identity is how people play roles when they are online. Internet has become a virtual world and everyone is playing his roles. There is little relationship between digital identity and real-world identity. People can create a digital identity which is similar to who they are in the real world. They can also create a digital identity which is totally different from the ones they are playing in the real world.

How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?

Personal approaches have limited affect because personal digital identity do not have too many followers and influence. They can become famous and siginificant digitial identity but it needs plenty of time and money. Compared to professional approaches, they have adequate funds and influence and they have a follower base in the real-world. It is quiet simple and easy for professional digital identity to develop online. What’s more is they can easily create waves and blizzard on the Internet using their influence and fame.

How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?

Openess is the key point for digital identities to converge in networked publics. Although there are rules and social scripts in the real world, people can behave open-minded and tolerant when they are playing roles online because information is passing fast and broadly on the Internet. There will be more cultural conflict and disagreement, which are obstacles for digital indentity to converge in networked publics. Being open-minded can make people understand and learn different cultures and habbits in different regions where they have never been and seen.