Assignment task:
175 words each
Discussion post 1:
I do not believe one's self is the same online as they are offline. I feel we can tend to hide our true selves behind technology, without face to face interaction things can be portrayed differently. I can vent on a social media platform and only see myself venting but others may see it as a chance to express their similarities also and I may not have felt the same about the way I vented later but now others believe I am that type of person. Over time I have followed different social .media platforms, the one that really stuck with me was Facebook. I use this to connect with family and old friends I have not seen for a long time, by sharing photos and videos of myself or family activities I am a part of. Facebook has helped me also connect with others who have been through the same situations as myself. It has helped me become apart of some support groups and show others the better side of my life as I have grown. Social network and technology can be good or bad pending on how you approach being apart of that world. Social media can help you connect but it needs to be limited to what you put out in the world about yourself. What you put out there is how others will see you, you may think you are doing no harm to yourself or others and there will be someone out there that sees you differently whether it may be bad or good. Be careful of sharing emotions and personal photos or information with technology also these days people can also use information and photos of yours for themselves and you have no idea. Need Assignment Help?
References:
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). Social Media and it's Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review: Journal of Mental Health, 27 (2),61-72.
Anderson, M., & Ejersbo, L. (2023). Pros & Cons: Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health. BMC Psychology, 11(1).
Discussion post 2:
Hi everyone,
In many ways, a person's sense of self online differs from who they are offline. While the core of one's personality, values, beliefs, and goals remains stable, the online world allows individuals to manage impressions and control how they are perceived. As Chayko (2022) explains, digital spaces have encouraged people to present curated versions of themselves that highlight desirable traits while concealing flaws. This selective sharing helps individuals express identity but can also create pressure to maintain an idealized image.
The groups and networks I belong to, such as academic, professional, and social circles, have all shaped different aspects of my personality in many ways. Academics and leadership groups push me to be disciplined and goal oriented, while my family and friends remind me to be compassionate and authentic, stand on my beliefs and true to myself. Online, I have developed my identity through the content I share, posting achievements, personal reflections, and interests that reflect my growth, feelings and values.
Social networks have also influenced my story by reinforcing behaviors through feedback like likes, shares, and supportive comments. This validation encourages continued self expression and confidence but can sometimes make self worth feel tied to digital approval. For digital natives, I would advise maintaining authenticity, thinking critically before posting, standing on the things you believe in and remembering that their online identity should align with who they are offline. Developing a healthy balance between digital and real world interactions helps build a strong, grounded sense of self.
Reference:
Chayko, M. (2022). Superconnected: The Internet, digital media, and techno-social life (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.