Note that the content on this guide has been adapted from an Online Identity Management guide at the University of Texas, created by Sarah Morris and librarians in Library Instruction Services in the spring of 2013. 

 What is your online identity?

Your online identity is the online version of you. There are a few important things to remember about your online identity.

• You don't always control your online identity
• You can't always control who sees your online identity
• Aspects of your online identity can exist without your premission 

What makes up your online identity?

Anything on the web! Including the following: 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Social media platforms like Tumblr, Pinterest, or Snapchat
• Video sites like YouTube, Vimeo, or Vine

Online Behavior

According to many recent studies, a lot of people use the Internet to search for information on people they know. You have probably done this yourself! But, this means that people, including employers, may very well be looking for information about you. 

A recent Forbes article reports that 36% of companies admit to using social media profiles to help them determine a candidate's personality. And The Wall Street Journal reports that a third of US companies use social media profiles at least some of the time during job searches. 

Think about what people might find and how you might appear to them if they search for you online.

What can you do to manage your online identity?

Tips and Tricks

• Think twice about what information you put online
• Tackle problematic content at the source - you can contact sites to try and get information removed
• Be proactive and put positive information about yourself out there
• Stay informed about privacy policies and options for sites that you use

The following tips from Anthony Mayfield at Mashable can also help you manage your online identity 

• Remember that you are your network - be aware of what your friends are doing with their privacy settings and own your own username and content
• If you can't delete, compete
• Take advantage of tools to help you manage your online identity 

See more tips and tricks at Google's Manage Your Online Reputation portal. 

Youth and Media Digital Dossier video 

Facebook Manners and You 

Manage your privacy and your online life 

• PrivacyFix - Browser plug-in that monitors your privacy on Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and the web
• SimpleWash - Application that cleans up your Facebook profile and your Twitter account
• SocioClean - Scans your social media and sends you alerts 
• Google Alerts - Helps you monitor content of your choosing on the web, including your own online identity
• Privacy Score - Provides information about the privacy policies of websites you visit 
• Is Your Twitter Password Secure? - As advertised, this site will help you create a strong password for Twitter

Social Network Aggregators

• HootSuite
• FriendFeed

Monitor and Remove Information

• Google Dashboard
• The Data Liberation Front
• Wiki Cancel - A wiki with information on how to cancel your accounts with a variety of social media sites
• justdelete.me - Direct links to delete accounts from a variety of web services

Monitor Your Activity

• Digital Footprint Calculator

See what's out there
Google yourself and try out services like the following:

• WebMii
• Spokeo
• Pipl

Infographic via MindFlash and accesed via The Atlantic

Learn more about privacy, online identity management, and why it matters with these resources.

Pew Research Internet Project Reports and Studies 

• The Web at 25 
• Social Networking Fact Sheet 
• Reputation Management and Social Media