According to Oberlo, “as of 2019, there are 3.2 billion social media users all around the world, which is about 42% of the Earth’s population” (2020). Social media, as a powerful communications medium, has not only made the world more accessible, but it has changed the way we communicate and connect (2020). Social media plays a quite important role in community engagement and communications. It not only helps people who have different cultures and backgrounds to build reciprocal connection and interaction, but also help them engage in online communications. By using social media, more employment opportunities are presented to us as well. In the following, I will use Twitter as an example to analyze how diverse and inclusive the PLNs is and how social media affects community engagement and/or communication. 

How does social media engage in communications?

From the web article, it clearly shows that “online communication has brought information to people and audiences that previously could not be reached” (2020). Twitter has redefined the culture of instant messaging. It not only allows users to share ideas, experiences, and reflections with other people across the global remotely, but also helps them build connection and interaction with the world instantly. For example, Twitter users can not only tweet or re-tweet other people’s posts, but also can find their interested online communities and connect with each other. On Twitter, our engagement in learning new perspectives is increased and our connections online are strengthened. Also, many employers prefer to judge their potential employees by using Twitter due to its widespread impact as well. 

How does social media challenge communications?

However, social media, such as Twitter, may also bring challenges to the public. For example, both the post of fake information and news with controversial topics on Twitter will challenge communications. “Social media’s influence has given rise to a different genre of communication, where conversations are quick and information is easily relayed” (2020). Therefore, if fake information or news with controversial headings are posted on Twitter, it may easily and quickly relayed and broadcasted, which will bring negative and serious interaction to the public. 

Is It inclusive? Does your PLN amplify the views of others? 

In my opinion, Twitter is inclusive and diverse. For example, I can read other people’s tweets, learn from their ideas and experiences accessibly, and share my own opinions with them asynchronously. It’s free, convenient, flexible, and inclusive for me to learn from other people, communicate with other people, and connect with the world on Twitter. Also, Twitter allows users to share a range of content from a range of different voices and backgrounds as well. It allows and encourages its users to share multiple voices. Meanwhile, it can amplify the different views of different people. 

What are the benefits of a diverse and inclusive PLN in social media sharing that understands where you are coming from with messaging that influences the community?

A diverse and inclusive PLN in social media sharing will be beneficial because it can not only build a connection between other people and you, but also can help you increase the engagement in online communication and community. 

Reference

How Has Social Media Emerged as a Powerful Communication Medium? (2020). University Canada West. Retrieved from: https://www.ucanwest.ca/blog/media-communication/how-has-social-media-emerged-as-a-powerful-communication-medium

What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

Currently, some digital platforms are using widely to develop students’ professional network, such as LinkedIn, Zoom, and Twitter. LinkedIn is an invaluable site for career development and professional networking. It not only allows users to manage and showcase their professional identity, but also allows them to engage with their professional network and online community. Also, since the pandemic, Zoom has become one of the most popular social media tools for students not only in their online learning, but also to develop their professional network. This digital tool allows users to make professional connections remotely and communicate with other people synchronously; therefore, it will be better and more effective for them to build and develop their professional network. Moreover, Twitter can be a useful digital tool for students to develop their professional network as well. There are a variety of professional accounts on Twitter. Students can easily connect with professionals by following their accounts so that they will get latest news and develop their professional network. 

What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network?

In my opinion, in order to expand students’ professional learning network, they could consider more about how to keep their posts active in their digital tools. If they want to stand out, they could add to their profile or posts as often as they can with their personal experience or ideas. Also, they could follow some professional accounts on digital tools and build connection or interaction with professionals. 

How does data privacy and security limit and/or promote a PLN?

In my point of view, the data privacy and security may limit a PLN. The personal information and data trails that we leave on websites or social media tools might be of great interest to other third-party applications for marketing and/or other purposes. Therefore, I think users should pay more attention to privacy setting. Also, when we create accounts on some digital tools, we also gave them access to our names, phone numbers, locations, and/or other personal information. It may also bring the risks of our security. 

In your network, how can you create a digital identity/ reputation?

In our network, there are several ways that we can use to create our digital identity and/or reputation. Firstly, we should be clear about our goals. Our goal may be connect with like-minded individuals. A clear goal will be quite useful and effective for us to create and develop our digital identity. Second, we should decide where to leave our footprint. We don’t need to be everywhere in order to have a strong digital presence; instead, by being targeted with our choices, we may have the better opportunity to build community among our connections (2019).

Consider how an employer would respond if you applied for a job with them and they assessed your social media presence via your digital identity.

For me, I always pay attention to what I posted on my social media tools and most of my accounts are not shown publicly. Therefore, if I applied for a job with employers, I don’t think they would find too much content from my digital tools. Personally, I do not like to showcase my personal lives and experience with other people in public as well. However, I know that some employers may use social media to judge their potential employees; therefore, in the future, I may showcase my professional identity and values on some professional platforms, such as LinkedIn and Twitter.

Reference

How to Create a Digital Identity (2019). Retrieved from: https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/create-digital-identity-branding

What is a digital identity?

Digital identity can be considered as our online presence or online profile; which is relevant to our online professional brand. From our digital identity, people can directly know who we are, how we are, and what ideas we have (Stoller, E., 2016). In order to showcase our profiles, everything that we post and/or share on the web by using digital tools for our own benefits is our digital identity. In my opinion, digital identity plays a quite meaningful and valuable role in our daily lives. For example, as Stoller mentioned, digital identity can be a kind of pre-interview for our employment (Stoller, E., 2016). Our potential employers may look at our social media profiles, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, in order to get more insights into what the kind of person we are in our daily lives. 

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

In my point of view, personal and professional approaches to digital identity will affect the use of social media due to their different purposes. Many professionals link their work emails to their business profiles and personal email accounts to their personal profiles. In my opinion, professional identity on social media focuses on showcasing our professional presences or portfolios. It’s beneficial and effective to present ourselves as a professional brand and make potential employers to find us easily. As George described, “as a professional networking site, LinkedIn is designed to share resumes, create relationships with industry professionals, and find job opportunities” (George, J., 2016). LinkedIn is a typical digital tool that is used to showcase our professional profiles. However, personal approach to digital identity focuses more about showing our personal lives and our personalities. For example, success on the digital tools, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, depend on how we present ourselves. Therefore, in my opinion, different approaches to digital identity will affect social media use. 

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

As an increasing number of social media tools have been used in our today’s digital world, our digital identities can make our lives become more convenient and efficient. Digital identity can not only increase social inclusion, but also can drive economic growth and create values for individuals and government (Davos, 2019). From Davos’s video, it clearly describes that the digital identification system in India has grown successfully over the past ten years. Citizens in India can use their digital identity to open bank accounts and receive financial transactions among other users directly (Davos, 2019). However, the video also mentioned that there are some concerns about user privacy, data losses and data breaches with this kind of digital identification systems. When digital identities are converged in networked publics, one of the things that I think is significant and necessary for people is to know how to manage their online privacy and personal information. 

References

Stoller, E., (2016). What is Digital Identity? YouTube. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/u0RryRbJza0

George, J., (2016). Maintaining Personal vs. Professional Identity on Social Media. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maintaining-personal-vs-professional-identity-social-jaevon

Davos, (2019). The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society. World Economic Forum. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-V7lyxrOmw