One of the current hot topics in learning technology circles is digital students/digital identity. There are concerns that students don't understand the lasting implications of their digital identities (ie future employers seeing those drunken night out photos in five years time) but I think before we can advise students we need to have a clear grasp on our own presence online. Here's my top 3 things I think we all need to consider - and my take on each.
1. How many online lives?
I have a number of colleagues who maintain two Facebook accounts; one for students to contact them and one for personal relationships. There is a lot to be said for this - it's a way of having quite a public persona but still keeping your private life limited to a small group.
Personally, I've taken the decision to have one joined-up online presence, and am happy to have this quite publically open. I don't teach students directly so all my connections have a roughly equal status - ie none are relying on me to pass or fail their degree.
I also like to tweet as myself - I can reply to work stuff as me, not a faceless support service or brand. I think that's important, the personal voice with a real face and name attached.
2. How much is Public?
If you could be bothered to check out all my online information and join me up with my husband and check through his information you could find out my full address and home phone number. You may or may not think that is a good idea, but the important point is that I am completely aware of it, and the day the last piece of the puzzle went public online (that was our flat number) it was a conscious choice.
3. Is there a weak link?
I found this article on Google or You? Who Would You Rather Control Your Digital Identity? thought provoking. It's all very well having a super professional LinkedIn profile, but if a Google search on you has some 10 year old inappropriate blog comment you wrote as the top hit it ruins your efforts.
There is room for personal opinion and non-professional stuff if you go for my joined-up approach, but that's the stuff that stays 'friends only' on Facebook. I have an internal 'what if my Dad sees this?' rule in my head (as it happens he is a friend on Facebook, so he probably will read this). Because if it isn't suitable for my Dad [insert web-using older relative of your choice] then it probably shouldn't be online anywhere.
