At present, the Internet develops very fast,the Internet has also become an indispensable part of modern life. People have created a prosperous and diverse cyber society based on the Internet. In the network society, people appear as virtual identities and communicate with each other in different languages. Digital media is one way of the cyber society, it makes people’s life become more colorful.The sites and software of digital media provide occasions for young people to narrate moments in coming of age; for families to track and narrate their genealogical histories; for people seeking friends and lovers or those with similar hobbies to make connections; for political activists to organize around movements and causes.(S Smith, J Watson 2014 virtually me) This article will focus on my own online identity，Mainly includes my profile pictures, The roles I build on specific platforms like WeChat and the way I build relationships online, My connections and interactions with a specific online community.
This is my Wechat account, the image at the top of the screenshot is my profile background. It is a picture of me and my girlfriend on Halloween as well as it was a meaningful and interesting moment for me. The reason for choosing this photo is it well expresses the idea that I am happy with her everyday. Next is my nickname and avatar in Wechat, nickname is a way of self-mockery since someone thought I was ugly when I was in high school. The rest of screenshot is my Wechat profile. it is a way to express themselves on social media and also an elemental part of new media culture. This is understood as a form of self-presentation and this behaviour uses social media through social networks.produces this new hybrid among the personal, interpersonal and the mediated, be referred to as “presentational media”.Via social media individuals engage in an expression of the self. (Marshall, PD 2010 celebrity studies). I often express my experience of the day or my opinion about something on Wechat profile. Like the first profile is I cooked a hearty dinner and second one is a pleasant day with my niece. Wechat profile is a great way to share your colorful life to your friend.
Maintaining the relationship between people is a complicated things. This is happening not only in the real life but also in the social media.Social media has changed our relationship patterns in four important ways. At First, it makes it easier for us to have communication with others. Second, it’s easy to overestimate the closeness of online relationships.Third, social media contagion affects us more, allowing you to express your feelings and beliefs online. Fourth, social media helps us compare ourselves with others, which may have positive or negative effects. (social media examiner) Social media make convenient for contact with others, I can easily contact my parents who in china, even video chat, this strengthens the relationship with the family. And I am willing to share the food, my toys and sneaker in wechat and twitter. Using picture to expressed my hobby and feeling to my friend, improve our relationship or attract more friends with similar interests.
There are manyspecific online communitiesin different social media.There are many people who share a common interest or purpose. I joined a social group on wechat and I can buy a lot of Chinese food that is hard to find in Melbourne. Such as Chinese crab, dessert, seasoning and snacks. It makes easier for me to cook Chinese food. Also I got lots of help from people here who are also from China. For example, I can find a Chinese moving company in this specific online communication, which makes the process of moving more convenient, because communication can be more specific with use Chinese. The same thing happens on twitter, I can easier find people in same school even in same class. It makes it easier for us to make friends as well as exchange learningthat make our knowledge improve faster.
Everyone is virtual on the Internet, playing the role they want to be.Youronline identity is represented in your social media profile, the photos you post, the people you follow and specific online community you connect. Virtual online identities have both advantages and disadvantages, social media will be more secure and real with the development of network society.
Reference list:
1.Smith, S and Watson, J 2014, ‘Virtually Me: A Toolbox about Online Self-Presentation’, in Poletti, A and Rak, J, Identity Technologies: Constructing the Self Online, The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison,
2. Marshall, PD 2010, ‘The promotion and presentation of the self: celebrity as marker of presentational media’, Celebrity Studies,
3.https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/4-ways-social-media-ischanging-your-relationships/
Felix & MY 