Social networks - do they really need your name?

Submitted by John Milburn CMgr MCMI on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 14:00

More and more people are using social media to network and discuss topical events. But, according to the BBC, as activity grows it seems that increasingly social networks are asking people to provide their real identity. It appears that the days of parading around the internet with a pseudonym are going to be a thing of the past.

Many people value the annonimity user names such as "John72" or "Fasteddie" provide them with. It allows them to post their real opinions which they might not do without this mask and establish a different online persona.

So are the networks doing this so they can deal with complaints or is it so they can use this data for marketing?

What's you view? Pseudonym or real identity?

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Submitted by Vincent Pizzoni FCMI on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 16:21

I've got no problem with real identity and maybe some people will now need to be more careful about what they post.

Submitted by John Milburn CMgr MCMI on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 16:36 Profile image

I don't have a problem either but I do sometimes think more people would get involved in discussion forums such as this if they could hide their identity. Not for any malicious reasons but maybe because they think their views might be dismissed / ignored / ridiculed etc. Am I right in thinking this?

Submitted by Adrian Gaskell MCMI on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 16:48 Profile image

As you probably know Vince, I'm a big fan of using the web, and especially social media, to produce a strong personal brand online, so I'm very much in favour of putting my name to what I do online. Of course that requires you to be careful about what you post, but that is no bad thing, and the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Submitted by Vincent Pizzoni FCMI on Thu, 28/07/2011 - 17:13

I totally agree Adi.

John, I can't speak for everyone but I feel I learn a huge amount from what people post and would encourage people to give their views.

Submitted by John Milburn CMgr MCMI on Mon, 19/12/2011 - 17:05 Profile image

We'd really love more people to get involved with this forum. Does anyone have any ideas on stimulating debate?

Submitted by Vincent Pizzoni FCMI on Mon, 19/12/2011 - 18:54

John, I think the problem for me is that there is the CMI blog and the CMI Group on Linkedin. It is hard to know which one to contribute to, and for many people it is one or the other (and generally people seem to choose Linkedin?).

Submitted by John Milburn CMgr MCMI on Mon, 19/12/2011 - 19:38 Profile image

Its interesting you mention that Vince as it's a debate we've been having ourselves. We really need to consider whether we need 2 discussion forums and if we do what differentiates one from the other. For example should this community be CMI members only and be a channel for CMI members to have private discussions about management issues and have LinkedIn open to all managers?

What do members think?

Submitted by Colin Millar MCMI MIC on Mon, 19/12/2011 - 20:46 Profile image

It is an interesting question - I don't normally have any issues putting my name to anything I have to say or write but by the same token there are times where you may wish to do something under a pseudonym to avoid reprisals?

I think we like to pretend that we're an open, honest and free speaking society but in reality how free can you really be when expressing views on things that may affect other aspects of your life such as employment?

More and more recruiters are trawling through "private" and public posts as part of their recruitment process, lifting comments completely out of context.

I can understand and appreciate why people would like to withhold their identity for those reasons and, should an offence be committed, you can still be traced through forensics.

Submitted by Vincent Pizzoni FCMI on Tue, 20/12/2011 - 09:58

John, I think it is difficult today to have private discussions about anything hence the need for caution as Colin says.

I will be interested to hear what other CMI members feel.

Submitted by Thomas Hughes MCMI on Thu, 22/12/2011 - 13:31 Profile image

Colin's comments will resonate with many as Government and Organisations say they want more openness, honesty and free speech but it is not always the case. People should not be branded trouble makers or lose a job opportunity just because they hold a strong opinion on a subject. In some cases anonymity may be the only way the opinion can be voiced.

If your trying to build a personal brand or network them your only going to do that as yourself.

On the subject of this forum and LinkedIn the simple solution would be to tie the two together so that blog posts go to each. Is that doable I ask?

Submitted by Lilia Pegg MCMI on Fri, 23/12/2011 - 00:59 Profile image

Back in 2007 when Facebook caught the attention of the employers, the most sensible thing to do was to have two accounts for social media – one with your real identity for professional communications, and one for personal communications. I still think this is the best approach to allow some privacy as well as freedom to express opinions on matters that are not related to your job.

My personal preference is to follow the LinkedIn forum, but I’d also find useful to have a forum for CMI members only.

Regards,
Lilia