Part I: Identity and Voice

Blogs provide a forum for everyone to have a voice. It can be a personal place where they can easily express their opinions, enter into debates, have conversations, seek responses and gain feedback. Everyone can have access to this on-line forum, where views and expertise can be shared on any topic for any purpose. Blogs can be used to make a statement about themselves, used as an ‘on-line soapbox’ (21) or just an opportunity to “let off steam” about an issue. The confident vocal student and quiet timid student both have equal opportunity to express their opinion.[1]

Blogs can provide a means by which a person can document their life while living it, such as a travel blog which records experiences, photographs etc. Blogs can document information over any period of time, provide an opportunity to revist experiences, and monitor changes in views over time. Blogs can also provide a forum for creative expression through the design of their own webpage. Through the look and feel of the page a person can express elements of their individual personality.

According to Danah Boyd, blogs can also become a “virtual space to try our new concepts that do not fit within a hierachical or topic-based discussion forum”.[2] They are therefore more fluid, without restraint, and conversations and information is driven by the users. Current and instant information is easily accessible as soon as it is posted on a blog, without the time delay of editorial or technical restraints of print based materials. It gives the blogger full control and ownership over their on-line posts.

But what is the attraction of blogs and why would people want to share their sometimes very private thoughts publicly? According to Dana Boyd, people like to perform in public to try out ideas, to gain a reaction from others, figure out the barriers, and work out what is acceptable. It is a part of developing their personal identity, a way for finding out who they are, and whom they may have something in common with[3].

However as the Internet increases our public identity we become more visible. This could have negative consequences, for example when potential employers decision to hire a person may be influenced by information found on the web, “The successful will become more successful, and the unsuccessful will have fewer second chances.” [4] This easily accessible public domain has the potential for social humiliation and negative consequences if inappropriate material is made available through the use of blogs. It is important therefore to be careful to not publish anything that is inappropriate for viewing by friends, parents, teachers or future employers.