What is a Digital Identity?

A digital identity is commonly understood as a unique connection between an entity and its online presence.

 

Your digital identity is established through your online presence and is developed through interactions and thus activities.

This concept goes beyond the mere user’s one as it delves deeper into the intricacies of individual’s digital presence.

While a user represents anyone actually engaging on digital platforms, the digital identity refers to the specific attributes, profiles and reputation associated with the aforementioned digital presence.

This one-to-one relationship between an entity and its online presence is a data-based relationship.

Indeed, digital identity encompasses data and information utilised by computer systems to refer to external entities, such as persons, organisations, applications, devices.

 

FOCUS ON INDIVIDUALS

Individuals establish their digital identity through the compilation of various data points, resulting in personally identifiable information (PII). These latter include personal details, credentials, and entitlements associated with individuals' online presence and activities.

By comprehending the underlying principles and elements of digital identity, individuals can make informed decisions about their digital interactions and take necessary measures to protect their privacy and security online.

 

Let’s discover the elements that contribute to your digital identity.

Personal Information Name Age Addresses and numbers (physical and not) Biometric data	Credentials Usernames Passwords Authentication mechanisms Security questions	Online Profiles Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) Professional networking (LinkedIn, etc.) Online forums and communities Blog or website
Digital Footprint Search history Website visit logs Online purchases and transactions Social media posts, reactions and comments	Privacy Settings Privacy controls on social media Who can see your posts and profile information Data collection by third-party apps and websites Opting out of targeted advertising	Online Reputation Feedback and reviews Endorsements and recommendations on network’s sites Reactions and comments on own posts Online presence in news article or blogs

 

These elements are summarised in what a person…

Personal Information	Credentials Privacy Settings	Online Profiles	Digital Footprint Online Reputation

 

Building your online presence allows interaction with others, sharing of interest, and engagement in the digital world.

According to the World Bank (ID4D Practitioner’s Guide, 2019), the basic structure of the digital identity and identification process is based on:

Identification	Authentication	Authorisation
Verifying and consolidating pertinent identity information to establish an individual’s digital presence	Assessing the authenticity of and individual’s claimed identity through the examination of one or multiple personal details (or PII)	Validating specific attributes to determine the authorisation or eligibility of an individual to participate

By virtue of the elements – what a person is, knows, has and does – and the structure of the digital identity and identification, here are some advice (A), tips (T) and methods (M) for each key concept in building your online presence.

Personal Information

• A: Only share necessary personal information online, such as your name, email address, and professional details
• T: Avoid sharing your home address, phone number, or other sensitive information unless necessary. Consider using pseudonyms or initials instead of full names where appropriate
• M: Use discretion when filling out online forms, social media profiles, and registration pages. Provide information on a need-to-know basis

Clear and Concise Communication is essential in the digital world as people have limited attention spans and receive numerous messages daily. à Get straight to the point and avoid lengthy explanations.

Example: Prefer “Could you please send me the report by EOD?” to “I wanted to ask if you could provide me with the report by the end of the day”. Note: EOD stands for “end of the day”.

Although this rule is generally valid, keep in mind that different models of digital communication require different approaches. For instance, e-mail is typically used for formal or detailed conversations, while instant messaging (WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, etc.) is more suitable for quick exchanges.

Example: If you need to discuss a complex project with multiple stakeholders, sending an e-mail with a detailed breakdown of tasks and deadlines would be appropriate.

Consequently, response times also differ, ranging from a few minutes to a maximum of 24 hours for messages on WhatsApp, up to the generally accepted 72 hours (3 days) waiting time for an e-mail.

Non-verbal cues help convey emotions and intentions. Emoticons, emojis, and punctuation marks can add context and clarify the tone of your message.

They are also a way of expressing oneself in an essential, clear and concise manner, as introduced earlier.

Example: Thumbs-up emoji  can indicate a confident and positive tone of approval.

Example: When sending an e-mail summarising key points from a meeting, use bullet points as follows.

In addition to symbolism, also the effective use of formatting improves the readability of your messages. Use headings, bold or italicised text, bullet points, and numbered lists to better organise information and make it easier to understand.

Meeting’s key takeaways: Report to be delivered by December 15, 2023 Dissemination to be improved with Press Releases’ publication Next online call: January 9, 2024

Using appropriate language and tone is crucial to convey your message accurately, avoiding misunderstanding.

Be mindful of the words you choose and the tone you adopt to maintain positive and effective interactions. And be aware that online (writing) communication generally lacks of facial expressions and tone of voice. Therefore, proper language and tone have an increased impact on how your message is received.

In a global online community, it’s important to be sensitive regarding social and cultural differences, by utilising a respectful and inclusive language.

Examples:

As engagement in digital platforms and social media starts and increases, it is important to be aware of potential risks, particularly for those new to the digital world or working on improving digital literacy skills.

Let’s explore the strategies for effectively managing these risks and provides guidelines for practicing mindful and responsible online engagement.

Key areas of concern that will be addressed include:

Overuse and Alienation – To avoid excessive use in terms of time, leading to alienation and a disruption of the balance between online and offline interaction, the following guidelines are provided to maintain a healthy and productive harmony:

Set a daily maximum limit for online activities Use calendar apps, reminders, or browser / app extensions to schedule specific time slots Monitor your progress and adjust accordingly Example: Use Instagram’s time limit built-in tool with alerts	Avoid relying solely on online communication Foster deeper connections and prevent isolation Example: Schedule regular face-to-face meetups with friends and family	Incorporate regular offline activities into your routine Engage in hobbies, exercise, or spend time in nature Refresh your mind and enhance well-being

Acting based on FOMO – FOMO, which stands for Fear of Missing Out, refers to the fear of not experiencing or participating in all available opportunities and the associated joy that comes with them. It is characterised by a curated and idealised perception of other people’s lives, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy or anxiety.

FOMO’s key aspects include:

• Constant access to social media platforms
• Continuous scrolling through feeds to stay updated
• Constantly comparing oneself to others and losing touch with one’s own identity

To mitigate the effects of acting based on FOMO, consider the following guidelines:

• Set realistic expectations
• Engage in offline activities
• Utilise features (mute / unfollow) to reduce exposure
• Practice digital detox: Tech-free hours or days.

Sharing of Fake News – It leads to both an overall increase in misinformation (where FOMO has its greatest impact) and personal reputation damage (online reputation as a part of digital identity).

It is important to verify information before sharing it online à fact-checking.

Fact-checking involves evaluating the source by considering its credibility and checking if similar information is reported by reputable news outlets. Here are two practical tools for fact-checking:

It allows you to explore fake news by performing a keyword search. It has a section called 'recent fact checks' where you can find the most recent news already verified as fake.	A fact-checking website that focuses on debunking and exposing false information and hoaxes circulating online.