W2: Social Media and Virtual Selves

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Goal: The goal is to connect social media with identity; how is social media used in identity formation?

Course Objective(s): CO2, CO6

Description: 

Joseph B. Walther (2007) explains that in computer-mediated communication, we often put forth the best version of ourselves; for example, we choose the best photographs to post and carefully word captions. We do this in an attempt to manage other peoples impressions of us. This is called selective self-presentation.

Read:   I Fake It On Facebook

Answer the following questions.

How do people construct an identity on social media? Provide examples. Is selective self-presentation occurring?

Is it unethical to create a different version of yourself online?  When could it be considered unethical?