Digital identity consists of a set of digital traces. The photos, comments, and likes we send or receive build our online selves and shape our reputation. As curators of museums about ourselves, we decide every day which parts of us shall become exhibits and which we shall choose to keep private. Various factors influence us in this process.

Curating the Digital Self

People tend to display elements that fit their ideal selves rather than their real self-perceptions. They are driven by a desire for approval, but also by a subconscious need to feel in control how others perceive them and how they perceive themselves. Online identity is thus often an attempt to find a balance between who we are and who we would like to be.

Fardouly & Vartanian (2016) reported that frequent use of visual platforms (such as Instagram and Snapchat) increases dissatisfaction with one’s own body and life – because digital space is more encouraging to this ideal self-concept. 

We look up to our role models, and we compare ourselves to them. Thus, we become a part of the vicious circle, because repeated exposure to the “improved” identities of others leads to a distorted perception of self. According to Reinecke and Trepte (2014), pretending to be someone else online for a long time can make us feel more stressed – the bigger the gap between our real self and our digital self, the worse it is for our mental health.

Furthermore, the platforms themselves, including their user norms, also influence the nature of how we disclose information about ourselves. LinkedIn expects a professional tone, Instagram expects visual aesthetics, and Reddit and Discord often favour anonymity. Each space shapes a different version of our “self.”

The two faces of anonymity

Research by Zloteanu et al. (2018) suggests that even in the digital environment, we are driven by the logic of social reputation. On platforms where identity is linked to a real name and a rating, we build “digital credit” – we try to appear trustworthy, consistent, and professional. On the contrary, anonymity allows for experimentation and honesty, but also for abuse. Alternatively, Squicciarini and Griffin (2012) noticed that if a certain user’s friends share some type of information, the user is more inclined to share it too, as they perceive it as a norm within their social circle.

Anonymity is like a fertile soil for trolls, misinformation, and harassment – without consequences in most cases. This is what we call the disinhibition effect, which removes barriers, weakens empathy, and makes people feel less accountable. Anonymity can also promote polarization and radicalization, as extreme views are more likely to get more reactions and are therefore promoted by social networks, and the backlash is not faced in person (Kim, Ellithorpe & Burt, 2023).

Nonetheless, anonymity also has an upside. A study by Mathew et al. (2018) analysed more than five million Quora (virtual discussion forum) posts and found that questions asked anonymously were more likely to concern vulnerable, personal and intimate topics, such as depression, sexuality, family problems, and identity. Meanwhile, contributions posted under people’s real names tended to be factual, neutral, and socially “safe.”

This shows that authenticity sometimes comes from being protected by anonymity. The ability to hide our name gives us the freedom to speak difficult truths without the fear of being judged because of them. Thus, anonymity can paradoxically become a tool for honesty – it allows us to be ourselves where candour might hurt.

Pseudonymity: Authenticity with a mask

There is a sweet spot between complete anonymity and full transparency known as pseudonymity. As Van der Nagel (2015) suggests, a pseudonymous account enables the user to build a stable and authentic identity under the cover of camouflage. It allows them to experiment, but also to take responsibility. It combines the security of anonymity, the opportunity for self-expression, and the credibility of a public identity. In an environment where every status, comment, or opinion can become a subject of judgment, the mask becomes a form of self-protection.

Research on digital identity (Zloteanu et al., 2018; Mathew et al., 2018) suggest that the ability to consciously manage one’s online identity is a key digital skill for the future. It is not just about protecting privacy, but also about understanding how our presence in the online environment affects  .

Navigating Identity in the Digital Age

Are you curious about how your digital identity shapes your online experience and offline outcomes? The DigiCity project is here to guide you through the complexities of managing your digital presence with confidence and safety. With the resources of DigiCity, you will learn how to navigate the risks of anonymity and pseudonymity, empowering you to make smart, informed choices and protecting yourself in the digital world. Don’t just be a passive user; be an active, confident, and responsible digital citizen!

Bibliography

• Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social media and body image concerns: Current research and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 9, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.09.005
• Kim, J., Ellithorpe, M. E., & Burt, K. B. (2023). Online anonymity, disinhibition, and aggression: Examining the psychological mechanisms behind online misconduct. Computers in Human Behavior, 144, 107692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2023.101856
• Mathew, B., Dutt, R., Goyal, P., & Mukherjee, A. (2018). Analyzing the impact of anonymity in online Q&A communities. Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, 12(1), 360–369. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1811.07223
• Reinecke, L., & Trepte, S. (2014). The authenticity of self-presentation on the Internet: Negative effects of being discrepant from one’s real self. Computers in Human Behavior, 30, 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.07.030
• Squicciarini, A. C., & Griffin, C. (2012). An informed model of personal information release in social networking sites. arXiv preprint arXiv:1206.0981. https://arxiv.org/abs/1206.0981
• Van der Nagel, E. (2015). Anonymity, pseudonymity, and the agency of online identity: Examining the social practices of r/Gonewild. Feminist Media Studies, 15(2), 273–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2014.887817
• Zloteanu, M., Harvey, N., Tuckett, D., & Livan, G. (2018). Digital identity: The effect of trust and reputation information on user judgement in the sharing economy. PLoS ONE, 13(12), e0209071. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209071