When taking part in online social interaction, in whichever group, you are bound to enhance the characteristics most related to what that group entails in shaping your identity. This may happen subconsciously but people will express themselves in ways to fit in, to ensure that they are part of that group’s interaction. In a way this can be seen as manipulation, but then again the users want to be manipulated to be accepted by the group. Online I probably come across more confident when talking over MSN or Facebook than I actually am in ‘meatspace.’ You become less reserved online because I think it’s easier to be, you can think about what you want to say etc. As I’ve mentioned before in a previous blog, I think altering personalities online is bound to happen because people want to enhance their personality traits, but when false identities are created and they become out of hand I think it becomes morally wrong. XXXXX
I can identify with why people don’t use their full names on the internet, with all the risks about it is understandable. People don’t walk around with name badges on all the time do they? The factor of privacy in the real world does pass over into online interaction, especially when you don't know 100% who they're talking to. There are so many risks with online communication, i.e. paedophiles, identity fraud etc… This sometimes can over-shadow the good things of CMC.
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I like what you've put about 'enhancing personality traits', people in a MUD or similar online scenario might create an avatar in their own image, just 'better'! Everyeone wants to have a super-power, and the internet is somewhere for people to have that! The whole thing about privacy does pose a risk, even if someone has a photograph of themselves following them around all the time (like on MSN) unless you know them poersonally, you're not going to know if that's actually them, it could be any ol' weirdo.
ReplyDeleteDo you think people can change their online personalitys for good? as in, be more open about their sexuality and so on?
ReplyDeleteYeah I think they can do, in some ways people could find it easier to be accepted on the internet. Online can be a good way for people to express themselves, just when people are purposely changing their identity to deceive people I think is when it becomes ethically wrong.
ReplyDeleteNice thread
ReplyDeleteIn response to cakeman -I think you're right. But would Facebook work if the photo was someone else? MySpace? Bebo? i.e., the growth areas of the Inet.
Social sites have a purpose to keep old friends/current friends/family etc all connected in contact. I know personally I don't become 'friends' on Facebook with someone who I don't know or don't recognise.
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