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Introduction

Thompson (2007) "Our modern conception of privacy and of the nature of the individual is a product of the industrial age that is now passing, so it should not surprise us that we are finding new ways of constructing an identity online. "//Bill Thompson is an independent journalist and regular commentator on the BBC World Service programme Digital Planet. [|blog post]//

The authors of this article "hang out" online and have spent at least 2 years developing and maintaining an online identify that straddles facebook, blogs, second life, google chat, linked in, flickr, slideshare, you tube, ning, website discussion and comment threads, co-comment, twitter, skype, wikiflash, to name a few. (possible biog details rather than in article?)

Erikson's 8 stages of psycho-social development is the basis for most theories on identity (Chickering and Reisser 1993). Related to age from childhood to later life. But could these be applied to developing an identity online? Establishing an identity involves a synthesis of past self image, present self evaluation and future ideals. Erikson stated that identity is " a persistent sameness within onseslf and a persistent sharing of some kind of essential character withn others" (Erikson 1980 p109).
 * Lit review
 * OT drivers

Stage 1: Trust vs Mistrust. (Erikson states occurs between birth and 1 year of age.) Likewise individual developing on line identity has to trust and depend on the online environment. Wants to feel safe and secure within it. Failure to develop trust may result in poor identity development or lack of interactions on line with others?? So we need to trust the web and others on there? Need to feel safe with the applications and privacy etc

Stage 2: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt: (Erikson early childhood) This is about gaining control of your environment. In terms of online identity this may be controlling the platforms and the information about you. Moderating, monitoring, choices made, selection. Successful completion of this stage may you feel secure and confident. Unsuccessful then feel inadequate with potential self-doubt. Need to engage fully with platforms and "play" with them to see what they do. Select the ones that are right for you - take control. Also decide who you are persoan; vs profeesional or both online and feel safe with these. Learning about netiquette/rules etc The creator of the web: Tim Bereners-Lee (2008) [|states] "//Imagine that everything you are typing is being read by the person you are applying to for your first job. Imagine that it's all going to be seen by your parents and your grandparents and your grandchildren as well. The danger is when you put something into a public space in order to share it with a few friends and in fact you've forgotten that it's actually a public space or that the list of friends is huge or that some of them can't be trusted not to be put it somewhere else.//" Stage 3: Initiative vs Guilt (Erikson pre-school) Taking control by directing others and engaging in social interaction. Now we move into social networking. Sense of capability and leadership or sense of guilt, self-doubt and lack of initiative. Begining to network with others. By now starting to have a clear idea of who you are online and how you want to be. (How might this be the same/differ from your real world identity? What about personal vs professional). Entering into social spaces, online discussions etc. Sharing information about self and interacting rather than "lurking"

Stage 4: Industry vs Inferiority (Erikson 5-11) Develop a sense of pride through accomplishments and abilities. Need to receive feedback and encouragement from others in order to have self-belief. Comment on others to receive comment back (blogs etc). Keep a track of where you've been

Stage 5: Identity vs confusion (Erikson adloescence) Exploring independence and developing sense of self - pushing boundaries. Needing to identify with the crowd. require positive encouragement and re-inforcement. Try out a few more - eg SL

Stage 6: Intimacy vs Isolation (Erikson early adult) developing relationships with others to be committed an secure. You need a successful Stage 1-5 to be able to do this - continue building on a number of platforms

Stage 7: Generativity vs Stagnation (Erikson adulthood) Continue to build, may shift focus from time to time from personal to work/professional. Feeling that contributing to the world by being active. If not then feel unproductive and uninvolved. Need to keep at it as others will soon forget you. Are we only noticeable when we are active on a regular basis?

Stage 8: Integrity vs Despair (Erikson old age) focus of reflection and looking back at achievements. Need to feel integrity and satisfaction rather than bitetrness and despair

(also potential future research project to look at online identity - how develop and what is successful???)

Context
 * why have one
 * networking
 * CPD opportunities
 * sharing
 * reflecting

What is on-line identity
 * Fb and social sites
 * Blog
 * commenting
 * lurking
 * LinkedIn
 * google
 * reputation management
 * eportfolios

Starting out
 * Professional boundaries
 * where to start
 * dos and donts
 * time committment
 * some graphical representation step by step guide??

Maintaining
 * time
 * committment
 * moderation
 * visiting others
 * upto date

Netiquette media issues facebook parties woman murdered by husband in Wales for putting "single" []

cultural differences

Conclusion
 * links