The Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project has recently released their report, Reputation Management and Social Media which contains some surprising information on who is taking the time to direct their online image.
Young adults, far from being indifferent about their digital footprints, are the most active online reputation managers in several dimensions. For example, more than two-thirds (71%) of social networking users ages 18-29 have changed the privacy settings on their profile to limit what they share with others online….
“Search engines and social media sites now play a central role in building one’s identity online,” said Mary Madden, Senior Research Specialist and lead author of the report, “Many users are learning and refining their approach as they go–changing privacy settings on profiles, customizing who can see certain updates and deleting unwanted information about them that appears online.”
When compared with older users, young adults are more likely to restrict what they share and whom they share it with. “Contrary to the popular perception that younger users embrace a laissez-faire attitude about their online reputations, young adults are often more vigilant than older adults when it comes to managing their online identities,” said Madden.
If you are interested in examining the issue in more depth, specifically focusing on how teens manage online identity, I’d suggest reading the recent literature review Youth, Privacy and Reputation by Alice Marwick, Diego Murgia-Diaz, and John G. Palfrey.
Considering the recent privacy issues with Facebook and the increasing use of online screening as a formal requirement of the job hiring process, it may be worthwhile giving some thought to how librarians can educate ourselves and our users on this particular issue.
