The Internet provides the platform to fabricate the perfect presentation of one’s identity. That persona many perceive to seek in order to receive the attention they desire. Online identity differs greatly from the real world. The option of staying anonymous by forging multiple identities is relatively common, and people are able to relinquish the autonomy to express themselves under a pseudonym.
So, why create more than one identity?
An option of creating a secondary identity or more is due to the striking fear of inadvertent disclosure of personal information. Addresses, Places you have been to, Photos.. etc. Social media transparency (AJ Agrawal) has made it increasingly difficult to contain information from being freely accessible. Anyone who searches your network name can instantaneously see what you do.
With multiple online identities, people compartmentalise their personal lives with their professional ones. These days, it has become an increasingly common practice for employers to screen both their prospective and current employees.
‘41% of employers say they use social networking sites to research current employees, 32% use search engines to check up on current employees, and 26 % found content online that has caused them to reprimand or fire an employee.’ (Career Builder)
Although, the relevance of having multiple identities presents a certain importance to protect these online users. However, some would argue over its ‘authenticity’. Companies such as Google and Facebook have stepped up to close the gap by controlling their user’s identity online. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg quoted, ‘Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity.” His repeated corporate philosophy, content that is not intended to be viewed by everyone should not even be shared. (Michael Zimmer)
Besides ‘authenticity’, having multiple online identities allows one to be anonymous. Anonymity creates the possibility of an online disinhibition effect. (John Suller) It is described as loosening of social restrictions and inhibitions normally presented in real life interactions as opposed to interactions online. The invisibility virtually allows the user not to have any responsibility for their online activities. This calls for a concern especially for a minority of users embroiling themselves with illicit activities.
Personally, the argument of having multiple identities or not is dependant on different circumstances. Yes, it is definitively agreeable having far too many identities creates confusion and lacks authenticity. Yet, having multiple identities can be recognised as a security measure to protect the users from unwanted identity thefts. The notable takeaway from this is that your online activities eventually defines who you are.
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References:
AJ Agrawal. (2016). Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ajagrawal/2016/04/08/how-much-do-people-really-care-about-sharing-their-information-online/#33d43f77545d (Accessed on 7/11/2016)
Careerbuilder.com. (2016). Available at: http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?ed=12/31/2016&id=pr945&sd=4/28/2016 (Accessed 7/11/2016)
Internet Society. Available at: http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/internet-technology-matters/privacy-identity (Accessed on 7/11/2016)
Krotoski, A. (2012). Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/19/online-identity-authenticity-anonymity (Accessed on 7/11/2016)
Michael Zimmer. (2010). Available at: http://www.michaelzimmer.org/2010/05/14/facebooks-zuckerberg-having-two-identities-for-yourself-is-an-example-of-a-lack-of-integrity/ (Accessed on 7/11/2016)
John Suller. (2004). Available at: https://www.learning-theories.com/online-disinhibition-effect-suler.html (Accessed on 7/11/2016)
(Online Disinhibition) Available at: http://www.spring.org.uk/2010/08/six-causes-of-online-disinhibition.php (Accessed on 7/11/2016)
This better be worth it 
Excellent descriptive and well-discussed post, Nicol! You’ve demonstrated the existing views on the argument on authenticity vs anonymity while incorporating your personal take on the benefits of multiple identities. I too, am for having multiple online identities; it gives an individual security from identity and information theft, while separating personal and professional life. The statistics on how employers use an employee’s online identity to divulge information that may affect one’s career was useful and highlighted the importance of online privacy.
However, I may have to disagree that “too many identities…lacks authenticity.” I believe one can still be authentic while having secondary identities. For instance, one can keep in touch with family and friends on a Facebook account, while having another identity on Twitter for being more open about random topics or world affairs and politics. They might be two identities, but still reflect the true nature of the user. As exemplified by a social media researcher for Microsoft Research, “Different sites, different audiences, different purposes.” (Danah Boyd, 2010)
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Reference:
Danah Boyd (2010). “Social Network Sites as Networked Publics: Affordances, Dynamics, and Implications.” In Networked Self: Identity, Community, and Culture on Social Network Sites (ed. Zizi Papacharissi), pp. 39-58.
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