The limits of the impact of borrowed identities on social media in the digital presence

Abstract

The problem of the study was to explore the extent of the impact of using borrowed identities on social media in relation to digital presence. A survey methodology was employed, using a questionnaire and a scale that included three dimensions of digital presence (privacy protection, social relations, honesty, and trust). The questionnaire targeted students from the media departments at the University of Babylon, the University of Mustaqbal , Al-Ahl al-Bayt University, and the Islamic University in Najaf, who use pseudonymous identities on social media, specifically on Facebook, with a purposive sample size of 144 respondents.

   The study included hypotheses related to the differences in respondents' answers and the impact of pseudonymous identities on the dimensions of digital presence. It also examined the nature of the correlation between the type of pseudonymous identity and the motivations for using Facebook, as well as the reasons for using pseudonymous identities based on gender.

Among the key findings of the study:

·There are statistically significant differences in respondents' answers regarding the impact of pseudonymous identities on privacy protection, social relations, and honesty and trust.

·The impact of using pseudonymous identities on privacy protection, social relations, and honesty and trust for media students in the sample was average, except for the statement "It allows me more freedom to express myself," which had a high impact.

·The correlation coefficient between the type of pseudonymous identity and the motivations for using Facebook among respondents from the media departments at the Colleges of Arts at the University of Babylon and the University of Mustaqbal was found to be low, while it was medium among respondents in the media departments at the College of Media in Najaf and the College of Arts at Al-Ahl al-Bayt University.

·The correlation coefficient regarding the relationship between the form of the pseudonymous identity and the reasons for its use among the media department respondents showed an average level of correlation.

·The correlation coefficient ranged from weak to very weak regarding the relationship between gender and the motivations for using pseudonymous identities on Facebook among the media department respondents.

·The correlation coefficient showed a weak level concerning the relationship between gender and the reasons for using pseudonymous identities on Facebook among the sample of media department respondents.

·Users tend to adopt pseudonymous identities on social media for the sake of protecting their privacy.

·The positive effects, compared to the negative effects of using pseudonymous identities on honesty and trust, led users to prefer them for their digital presence.