Digital Tattoos & Data Analysis
What are digital tattoos? Well, I can say for certain they are not images of computers and memory boards one gets inked on their body; at least not in this circumstance. The digital tattoos I refer to are one's footprint or digital identity. They are details the blueprint to one's online identity visible for anyone who cares to look. They are birthdates, addresses, employment information, images of one's pets and family, etc. Digital tattoos are essentially the framework for who we are showcased to be on a digital platform.
Growing up, the adults in my life always said, "Be careful what you post online! It will come back to
haunt you". I know I am not the only one who heard this and subsequently rolled their eyes a little. That was being said early on in the peak of digital dependency before most of the general public really understood the ramifications of tying certain information about one's self out on the internet.
Image Source: The Animation Guys
Data Analysis & Social Media Assessment
Following the discussion above, I would like to do data analysis on myself through a social media assessment of my Instagram account, which is the only social media account/site I consistently and actively use.
Image Source: Courtesy of Author
Looking at my 25 most recent posts, it is clear that I am a huge animal lover, as 11 out of the 25 most recent posts (the farthest-reaching back to August of 2023) are of my pets, foster dogs, and wildlife I have photographed as an amateur photographer. Breaking these posts down further, 5 of the 25 are pictures that include me (both self-portraits and images with friends), six posts are nature-based showcasing flowers, national parks, etc., and two are images of art and art shows. All my posts are pretty positive, I enjoy being out in nature and experiencing wildlife and that is primarily what I share with the world. I won't pretend that I am always a light-hearted positive person, however through my social media posts I want to share the things that bring me joy. It may not reflect every single aspect of me, but I aim to be as truthful in who I am, without sharing too much of myself, for the sake of personal privacy. I am confident that my Instagram reflects who I am in an accurate way. Going a step further, my first ever 25 posts (ranging from November 2020 to April 2021) are roughly the exact same. Mind you, my very first Instagram account was created early in high school and was deleted years prior to this 'newer' account due to privacy issues I was experiencing at the time. There then was a large gap between my use of Instagram. Going back to the topic, these 25 original posts are made up of the exact same--animals, nature/wildlife, art, and some family photos. All are relatively positive in perspective; just me exploring things I like about the world.
Image Source: Courtesy of Author
Citations
Wiseman, R. (2018, February). Social Media Armor: Are You Really What You Post?. ADL. https://www.adl.org/resources/tools-and-strategies/social-media-armor-are-you-really-what-you-post
Hi Renee,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your exploration of digital tattoos and their impact on our online identities. Your discussion about the evolution of digital footprints is relatable, especially in today's world where social media plays such a big role in our lives. Your journey of understanding how social media shapes our perceptions of ourselves and others was also relatable because I remember when I first got social media and received warnings from adults about being careful online, and just like you, I've had to navigate into trying to leave behind positive digital tattoos. I liked reading about your data analysis of your own Instagram account because it shows how people shape their digital identities. It's awesome to see how you use the platform to share what brings you joy, whether it's your love for animals, nature, or art while still maintaining your personal privacy. I’m glad that you've found a balance that works for you. After reading, a question I had for you was how do you think your approach to social media might change in the future, considering technology is constantly evolving, trends keep happening nonstop and how privacy seems to be diminishing more and more? Thanks for sharing!
Hi Renee,
ReplyDeleteI thought your discussion about how our understanding and approach to digital tattoos has evolved was spot-on; I especially thought your point about how everyone develops some sort of digital presence and personality, whether we do it intentionally or not, was spot-on. We all make decisions about what we put out there, and there are details, events, etc. that we might choose to post or not to post. In many cases these decisions are not malicious or meant to mislead our viewers or anything like that, but it does happen. I also thought your Instagram analysis and discussion were great-I think it's awesome that you are hoping to put more positive content out there, and as you said, there is nothing wrong with sharing the things that make you happy. Having accounts reflect your interest and who you are, to the extent that you are comfortable with, is exactly the type of digital tattoo that it seems like people should be striving for.
I can get on board with lots of nature and animal pictures! I'm on Instagram but rarely post. Instead, my feed is full of animal rescue groups and a few friends. I use it as a quick "escape" from work and life.
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