Anatomy of Youth: Owning a Digital Identity – The v20 Cyberteam’s Take

The internet’s profound influence on our lives is undeniable, as evidenced by seven young people dedicating their afternoon to dissecting the ‘Anatomy of Youth’ report in a basement. For those who couldn’t attend, we’re the ones looking slightly weary in the photos!

We were tasked with exploring the ‘Digital Identity’ section of the report. Our affinity for technology naturally drew us to this topic. Ste, another v20 member, joins me in this blog post. His insights can be traced back to his remarkable expertise.

What is a Digital Identity?

A digital identity encompasses a vast array of online information, which can be distilled into two primary types:

• Online Profiles: The public persona we project to the world.
• User Generated Content: Blogs, comments, status updates, and reviews.

Anyone who has ventured into Facebook or engaged in the self-promotion of Twitter understands the concept of a profile. But let’s delve deeper into the risks associated with ‘living online’ and managing a digital identity.

Concerns of Online Communities

Jon, another v20 member, shared a thought-provoking perspective in his blog, “Changing Communities – The Disconnect”. He expressed concern over people’s growing investment in online communities over local ones. While it’s true local community bonds are weakening, this isn’t solely due to online societies. Factors like modern family transience and flexible employment also play a role.

Digital Identity Factoids

Ste highlights two key statistics from the report:

• 42% of 16-24 year-olds know someone embarrassed by information uploaded online without consent. The ease with which photos or comments can be tagged and shared without permission is something many Facebook users are familiar with.

• 60% of 14-21 year-olds have never considered the future implications of posting personal details online. This reflects the tendency of youth to focus on the present rather than potential long-term consequences.

The Risks of Online Information Sharing

The crux of the issue is the unawareness among young people—and indeed most internet users—of how much information they reveal online. While platforms like Facebook require agreement to their terms of service, few actually read them.

The internet is no longer a private space. Employers often research potential hires online to ensure alignment with their company values. Moreover, online comments made in jest can have serious repercussions, including job loss, as seen in political circles.

Worryingly, online profiles are monitored by various companies for marketing and possibly more dubious purposes. Consider this: the CIA owns part of Visible Technologies, a major social media monitoring company.

In conclusion, be cautious about your online presence. What you share today might come back to impact you tomorrow.

Further Reading

• Anatomy of Youth: Owning a Digital Identity – The v20 Cyberteam’s Take
• A New Anatomy of Youth
• Young People, Big Society
• The Anatomy of Youth: The Blunt Truth
• The Anatomy of Youth: The ‘Lost Generation’