The real "I"

In the beginning of the semester, social media is just a tool and social necessity that I engaged in without thinking much about the reasoning and consequences of my actions. Throughout the semester, the understanding of the social medium through various analytical lenses has led me to more closely monitor my actions and language on social networks. Also, before the class I have never really talked about social networking sites with my friends of classmates. In the seminar environment, it is so interesting to hear other people's stories of themselves and their distilled reflection of what they think of other's actions. It is invaluable as a media major to gain such insights into other people's social media habits. Having heard others' stories, I became more careful about what I do on social networking sites knowing more clearly that everything I say will be taken into consideration of my personal identity. I've realized that I use SNS less as a venting outlet but more as a branding tool. I say less because I would be judged less by the little that I express, I "like" others' photos and status more because it is a neutral way of being engaged while in the mean time being disengaged. I have become moderate--engaged in social media because it is still a social necessity but want to disentangle myself from the drama and emotional attachment of SNS because I still believe that everyone eventually grows out of it. Growing out not in the sense of abandonment but in detachment. There is a fine line between real d online personality-- and as one grows older, the focus should be more on the creation of quality, real identity and less fixated on the online identity. It matters less how many comments one receives for a picture or how many facebook friends one has, the real interpersonal relationships should be beyond that level of superficiality and more about face to face encounters. I think in the process of this class, I've gotten a fuller and more realistic picture about what online identity really means and how it should be perceived. I think such realization will serve me well in the long run because while I understand the importance of branding myself  though SNS platforms, my approach will be more rational and focused knowing that an online identity is and a supplement, not replacement, of my authentic, genuine identity. 

Ivy Y.