Using Manufactured Identities in Online Social Media

Abstract The use of pseudonyms and personas when creating profiles within online social media serves to provide many vulnerable people with a way to safely have an online presence without the fear of harassment or real world threats. The rise in the number of hacking incidents involving identity theft combined with a growing number of reports of fake online identities being used for malicious and criminal intent, has led to companies such as Facebook implementing security measures such as the Read more [...]

Roleplay and Community Gaming; how the use of streaming technologies enhance trust in gaming environments where players roleplay characters through pseudonym and false identity.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to argue that streaming technologies enhance trust in gaming environments where players roleplay characters through pseudonyms and false identity. Through methods of researching Grand Theft Auto Five (GTAV) (Rockstar North, 2013) game mechanics, the streaming service Twitch (www.twitch.tv), and focusing on the FiveM (CitizenFX, 2014) server The Family RP (FiveM, 2014) to demonstrate how trust is formed within these communities through the rules and communication Read more [...]

Goodreads in the development of personal relationships on discussion boards through shared common interests

Download PDF Abstract This paper will explore the development of relationships through discussion boards on Goodreads by arguing that online discussions give young people who are unable to communicate offline a chance to connect with others through a shared interest. This paper will also argue how through anonymity and pseudonymity young people have a chance to create a personal persona that aids them in the development of self.   Discussion Online discussion boards, chat groups, and Read more [...]

“Mum, seriously!”: Sharenting the new social trend with no opt-out.

Abstract Children growing up with the normalised practice of sharenting via social networking sites, such as Instagram, will be influenced by the public interactions with the curated portrayal of their identity. The over-sharing of personal childhood moments creates a mediated digital identity with no agency from the child. While research has indicated a number of negative effects from social networking sites (SNS), including lower self-esteem and depression in teenagers and adults, findings have Read more [...]

Rounding up the loyalists: Building brand communities in Web 2.0

Abstract The following paper considers three diverse online brand communities as examples of how businesses create browser-based platforms to engage with their customers and build loyalty. Since the advent of Web 2.0, and the ability for internet users to produce and distribute content easily and cheaply, businesses and marketers question how to be heard in a changed and changing media landscape. The purpose of this discussion is to show that brand community success is not accidental: I argue that Read more [...]