Why do we engage in online public spaces?

I believe people participate in online public spaces for diverse reasons, including learning, entertainment, expressing opinions, building professional identities, or seeking a sense of belonging. For instance, some choose to share thoughts on “X,” while others prefer posting videos on “TikTok.” For me, the most significant motivation stems from my desire for every contribution to be meaningful engagement. For me, “meaningful contributions” don’t necessarily mean presenting authoritative opinions or sophisticated discourse every time, but rather generating responses after speaking up.

Moreover, online public spaces have made me realize that learning no longer happens solely in classrooms. Much understanding actually emerges gradually through discussions—by reading others’ perspectives, observing different viewpoints, and reflecting on my own thoughts, I gain deeper insights into issues. Moreover, this learning approach is more open and lowers the psychological barrier to participation. For instance, as an international student whose native language isn’t English, online discussions give me more time to think and organize my thoughts compared to speaking up in class. This makes me more willing to engage. This relatively low-pressure environment allows me to express my views more proactively and gradually build confidence in participating in public discussions.

What is digital identity?

In Eric Stoller’s video, digital identity is described as our holistic presence in cyberspace—not merely an account or profile(Stoller). It’s shaped by the content we actively publish, information others share about us, and how platforms and algorithms present this material. This means digital identity isn’t entirely under our personal control; it constantly evolves through usage. For example, Linus Sebastian consistently uploading videos about computer hardware on YouTube shapes his identity as a computer expert.

Furthermore, I’ve come to realize that even if a user “posts nothing” online, their silence itself becomes part of their digital identity. How an individual participates, the frequency of their engagement, and the platforms they choose to appear on all influence others’ understanding of their online persona.(The Value of Digital Identity).

Favorite song: Bang! — AJR

Reference:

Stoller, Eric. What Is Digital Identity? YouTube, uploaded by Eric Stoller, 2016,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0RryRbJza0.

The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society. YouTube, 2018,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-V7lyxrOmw.

Photo by José Martín Ramírez Carrasco on Unsplash