UNIT V.

ONLINE ACTIVITY AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF

IDENTITIES
Overview

This unit gives you an idea of the proper ways to communicate using screen names,
email addresses, and online content in an online and offline setting.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the unit, I am expected to:

1. differentiate online identities and offline identities;

2. identify various ways of communicating in an online environment;
3. describe ways to properly communicate in an online setting.

Setting Up

Name: Date:
Course/Year/Section:

Directions: The advent of social networks and online communication has increased
chances/opportunities to fool people in a cyber environment than when taking to the same
people face-to-face. In a group of five, discuss which is more pardonable deceitfulness online or
deceitfulness when talking with someone face-to-face? Present your argument in class/online.

Group members
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Lesson Proper

Online Activity and the Construction of Identities

Experts say the new, face-to-face communication is online communication.

Upper and lower cases of text messages and emojis have taken on nearly the same meanings and
intent as in face-to-face communication. Computer-mediated communication has given man
greater freedom and greater responsibility for surviving in an online environment. While
communication is accessible, security, trust, and privacy issues have also been posted through the
online environment. These three issues stem from the fact that cyber communication has
expanded opportunities for online users to hide under different, fraudulent identities.
 Several factors contribute to the construction of identities by communicators in an online
setting. They help shape communication styles that take place on the Internet (McMahan & Duck,
2010).

Screen Names

Social media can be a useful tool for businesses, bringing benefits such as engaging with
your audience and boosting traffic on websites. However, disadvantages can also arise, including
the resources needed and negative feedback (Nibusinessinfo, 2020). Usernames tend to be the
convention of choice when it comes to identifying an online community, giving people the option
of identifying themselves as they choose (O'Keefe, 2011).

Examples of screen names

• shyguy21
• toughgrl17

People can choose a screen name on positive features as a natural extension of the self.
Nevertheless, in an anonymous and non-threatening environment, they may select
unrepresentative traits to develop untapped aspects of the person and test those characteristics.

The construct of social networks enables us to create (at least in part) our identity that is
different from what happens in physical reality. In the material fact, we construct our identity
within a diverse environment and social constraints: the physical environment and the social
structure/status where we belong. Contrastingly, in the digital reality, social networks, for
instance, are platforms (as in the case of Facebook) that enable users to take advantage of
assuming identities apart from the real truth/reality.

E-mail addresses

Email addresses related to identity building have three main parts, all of which can
pass on personal information to others:
• username(sometimes a person’s screen name)
• the domain name, and
• the top-level domain

The username comes before the @ symbol, and immediately after the @ symbol
comes the domain name. And the top-level domain goes after the dot (.).

Screen and usernames may also create undesired impressions;

• 2Sexy4U
• YourKindOfGuy

Potential employers may reject a job applicant whose contact details include an email
address such as LazyBug93. The domain name may reveal providers of services, professions, or
affiliations. Domain names often show an Internet provider for a person who can be selected
based on how people want to portray themselves to others (Yango, et al., 2018).
 The top-level material spearing at the end of the email addresses also reveals personal
information to others, according to Yango, Et al., (2018). Such codes as.edu, .gov,
.mil,.org may also indicate a link to or environment with education, government, military, or
organization to others. Email addresses from countries other than the U.S. come with a two- digit
country code such asas.ph,. uk, which provides additional information about their owners.

Online Content Creation and Identity

The Internet, especially for younger generations, has become both an instrument and a
self-expression site. Personal webpages, blogs, and posting of original pictures, videos, mash-ups,
and other individual creations enable people to share and display their self 's thoughts, interests,
and other traits. While internet users of all ages do these activities, younger people use the
Internet more than adults for self-expression. More than half of teenagers online are thought to
be creators of content. These internet users developed or maintained an online website or blog,
or shared creative work (Lenhart and Madden, 2005, as mentioned in Duck & McMahan, 2010).

Personal Web Pages and Blog

Personal webpages and blogs in which the creator only discloses the information he or
she wishes allows selective self-expression and identity performance. These sites may be
dedicated to specific self-aspects such as activities involving people, relationships, and interests,
or they may display multiple self-aspects.

Social Networking Sites

A social networking site is an online platform that enables users to create a public profile
on the website and interact with other users. Usually, social networking sites have a new user
input a list of people they share a connection with and then allow them to confirm or deny the
connection. Once the links have established, the new user can search the connection networks to
make more connections. A social networking site is also known as social networking or social
networking website (Techopedia, 2020).

References

Walther, J. B., & Rabby, M. K. (2003). Maintaining Relationships Through Communication .

Washington, DC : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
Aps. (2019, Febuary 11). psychologicalscience. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from
psychologicalscience.org: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/how-
smartphones-affect-relationships.html
Dollarhide, M. E. (2019, May 2). Investopedia. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from investopedia.com:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-media.asp
Johnson, T. (2016, November 12). medium. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from medium.com:
https://medium.com/@tarynjohnson/social-currency-constant-connection-and-the-
algorithmic-experience-identity-relationships-in-173e6e30a21b
Nibusinessinfo. (2020, May 29). Nibusinessinfo. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from
nibusinessinfo.co.uk: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-
 disadvantages-using-social-media
O'Keefe, P. (2011, January 20). Managingcommunities. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from
managingcommunities.com:
https://www.managingcommunities.com/2011/01/20/usernames-vs-real-names-on-your-
community-pros-and-cons/
https://
UNIT VI. MEDIATED COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPACT ON
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Overview

This unit gives you an idea to deepen your conversation in mediated communication
skills and their impact on personal relationships.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the unit, I am expected to:

1. understand the challenges posted by mediated communication;

2. explain the significance of exhibiting competence in mediated
communication;
3. design a web page based on the etiquette of mediated communication.

Setting Up

Name: Date:
Course/Year/Section:

Directions: Get a screenshot of any ot your social media interface. Paste it here. Based on your
interface, answer the following questions about how you communicate in a mediated situation.

1. What does the interface say about you and your personality?
 2. How does the interface show your relationship with your friends or followers in the
social medium?

Lesson Proper

Mediated Communication and Its Impact on Personal Relationships

Technology affects people's lives in both foresee able and unpredictable ways.
Considering how computers influence the way people engage in relationships, it is essential to
understand that people are just beginning to assimilate into their daily lives. Computer- mediated
communication (CMC) has infiltrated various aspects of the lives of humans. For many people,
CMC has proven to be a valuable tool for initiating, developing, and maintaining relationships with
the move towards increased use. Although email did not achieve the universality of the telephone,
the signs point to a similar pattern of assimilation. Computer-mediated communication
represents the full spectrum of media using some form of digital encoding and discussing CMC as
a unifying concept is a misnomer in many ways. Instant messaging services supplement the
synchronous CMC media family (Walther & Rabby, 2003).

Cell Phones and Personal Relationships

Smartphones and their constant access to text messaging and social media make it easier
for people within their social networks to disclose personal information and respond to others
than ever. And these networks are far broader and more substantial than our ancestors (Aps,
2019).

Constant Connection and Availability

The dynamics of identity and social relations have changed with constant connection and
availability. With the ability to continuously create and recreate ourselves, individuals are allowed
to shape how they present themselves to the world (Johnson, 2016).

Shared Experience

Cell phones also allow individuals to engage in shared experiences, even when they are
physically separated. Direct voice, picture, sound, and video transmission gives people a sense of
experiencing an event or occasion. A person who is in disagreement with a romantic partner
maybe in simultaneous contact with a friend who offers guidance, support, and then shares the
experience. Cell phones make this shared experience happen anywhere, and their multimedia
capabilities make it more authentic (McMahan & Duck, 2010).
Characteristics of Online Communication

• Immediate delivery
• It is interactive
• Individuality
• It helps build communities
• Entertainment And Enjoyment

Personal Relationships and Social Networks

• Unfollow and/or remove your exes from social media.

• Be aware of your online presence.
• Carry out your new relationship(s) and not through social media.

References

Walther, J. B., & Rabby, M. K. (2003). Maintaining Relationships Through Communication .

Washington, DC : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

Aps. (2019, Febuary 11). psychologicalscience. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from

psychologicalscience.org:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releas
es/how- smartphones-affect-relationships.html
Dollarhide, M. E. (2019, May 2). Investopedia. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from
investopedia.com: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/social-media.asp
Johnson, T. (2016, November 12). medium. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from medium.com:
https://medium.com/@tarynjohnson/social-currency-constant-connection-and-the-
algorithmic-experience-identity-relationships-in-173e6e30a21b
Nibusinessinfo. (2020, May 29). Nibusinessinfo. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from
nibusinessinfo.co.uk:
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advanta
ges-and- disadvantages-using-social-media
O'Keefe, P. (2011, January 20). Managingcommunities. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from
managingcommunities.com:
https://www.managingcommunities.com/2011/01/20/usernames-vs-real-names-on-
your- community-pros-and-cons/