Week 3 Topic 3 cont....

Identity and Relationships online-Part 2

D) What kind of risks are involved in online self-expression? Online relationships?

I feel there are many risk with online relationships and self-expression. Firstly, can you class what users have online as a relationship? To me you can only truly have a relationship and build a friendship once you've meet the other person face to face, I suppose you can find things out about a person and know things about them, but I don't think you can actually know them! Secondly with a online relationships can you ever know what your being told is true, whether people are what they tell you they are, some people also get to involved with others from online words, and claim to have an intimate relationship. This seems very strange! The risk with self-expression online is again this can get out of control, if a user is that free about their speech and their opinions they may offend others with in the online forum/world etc, this could then lead to further implications, such as online bullying.

E) If you are participating in online social interactions might you shape your identity and expression to 'fit' that group?

I think it is very likely that participants of online interaction may change their identity to fit in with the group of a certain forum, world, site etc. They may want to try to fit in due to the fact something is seen as being 'cool' among their peers and its the 'in' thing to use or talk about. People may also want to change their identity to fit in as they just purely don't want to feel out of place and to give them that confidence that they may not have in the 'real world'. It depends on the user as to whether they change and adapt their identity for online interaction, some may not as they like standing out and they want to be different and have the opposing view on something.

F) If you are a 'digital presence' how can you be manipulated by others?

I'm not totally sure what 'digital presence' means, but I think its if you are an internet user and you have a virtual version of your self, or you use online interaction you can have this so called 'digital presence'. You are present within the online community. I think you can be manipulated online, a while known mediated type of manipulation online is that of the grooming of children by a pedophile, using their false identity and enticing children to them. People are also frequently manipulated into giving their personal details and bank details by fraudsters. (I want to add to this answer but can't think of anything and staring at its not helping so I will post it and then come back to it!)