An overview of what the internet does for identity.
The internet provides an opportunity most other forms of interaction do not, an opportunity to completely control peoples' perception of one’s self. The internet allows for a place for people to be on equal footing when it comes to creating an identity. The internet allows people to expose one’s true self as described by Bargh et al. (2002). People are more quickly willing to share aspects of themselves they normally wouldn’t be able to because of the fear of repercussions and this takes on many forms on the internet. For some it’s the use of internet memes to identify one’s self as being part of a knowledge base, the difference between handle use and anonymous user forums, and creating an identity with video games, and how they have become a mainstream cultural presence. All have roots on the internet and how they affect the creation and maintenance of one’s true self. People can show different aspects of their personality based on the freedom the internet allows, whether it be the anonymity of message board sites like Twitch and 4chan, the different "dialects" spoken on different sites or how things like interacting online via video games can shape someone's personality and identity. These different aspects of the internet are what allow people to truly feel like they are able to choose an identity that they themselves can control. Anonymous forums allow for people to be judged solely on their comments or actions as an anonymous user. Previous experiences good or bad are rendered moot as it does not matter because no other people will be able to connect you to your previous actions, unless you want them to or do something for them to find it.
Memes act as a way to define one’s knowledge base on the internet. If you are able to follow conversations and use the appropriate dialect, then it is an easy way for someone to shape their online presence. Memes tend to become a shared interest in the internet culture. Sometimes they are removed from the culture just as soon as they were introduced. This serves as a way to judge how in tune with the flow of ideas and concept one is. Memes can be created when a popular event happens or a popular person shares something. Video gaming has become a mainstream hobby compared to when it first debuted and it holds interesting similarity to Social Media Sites (SNS) like Facebook and Twitter when it comes to identity.In online video games, you choose your username which will be how you are identified to everyone you meet, you get to choose what people will call you every time they want to interact with you. This puts someone in an interesting scenario where they can now not only choose how they act and how they will be perceived, but how they will to be referred to in all forms of communication. In some games you are simply part of team and the other members of the team may refer to you as your username or a shortened nickname. In some more time consuming games, like Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, players can join guilds and factions and become part of a group that will play with each other a vast amount of time. In this type of developed relationship, players may develop their identities further or even reveal their actual identities. This is the same thing for websites like Twitter and Facebook: you choose your name, your attitude, your personality, and your identity. Regardless of how one chooses to express themselves on the internet, almost all actions will develop one's identity. Through learning new information people can expand what they know and what they share with others. Certain places will shape one's belief whether or not it was their intention. In some cultures where beliefs are strongly impressed on others, the internet may serve as a very important tool for self education. SNS can connect people across the world and share ideas amongst them. They can even be used to facilitate political movements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The internet can shape how people communicate with others and in what way they do it. For some it helps to express themselves in less serious ways. Video games can serve as an enjoyable pastime or as a form of therapy. There is a new emergence of interest in video games and how they affect humans. With new research being done, video games could very well be a new type of therapy that might be enticing to young patients, provide help to those with certain disorders, or simply serve as an enjoyable form of therapy. Message boards provide a way for users to express themselves free from worry of judgement from others. Anonymity can serve as a tool of empowerment for those with social anxiety or low self-esteem.