What is digital identity online?
What is digital identity? Digital identity is often understood as the information used to identify a person online. In psychological research, however, the concept can be broader.
A digital identity may also include the representation through which a person acts, communicates and experiences the self in a digital environment. This may be a social-media profile, professional account, game character or avatar.
Why the relationship matters
The important question is not only what information the representation contains, but what psychological relationship develops between the person and that representation. Therefore, asking what is digital identity also means asking how people recognise, control and emotionally connect with their digital forms.
For example, one person may treat an avatar as a temporary costume, while another experiences it as linked to identity and agency. Also, customisation and control can contribute differently to that connection.
From definition to ADID
This perspective on what is digital identity supports the Cyberpsy research line on Adaptive Digital Identity Development. If you want the broader framework, continue to digital identity and ADID. Related reading: Can a Digital Representation Change With Us?.