Topic 1: Digital “Visitors” and Digital “Residents”
by amandakeee
Qn. Explain the concept of digital “visitors” and “residents” drawing upon your reading and your own online experiences to date in support of the points that you make.
Whomever uses the net, whether if its for inspiration or just for a little getaway from reality, will either be subjected to becoming either a digital “visitor” or digital “resident”. Based on references from articles online and some research, i have deduced a small amount of information as to what these terms may mean.
A digital “visitor” in my own opinion and based on readings that I have read are people who uses the web whenever there is a need. It is seen as a second option to them when having to perform a task or get something done. It is also said in the readings that digital “visitors” are people whom are skeptical upon revealing their personal data online. These are people whom do not place a lot of trust the web and only use it on an on-off basis. The habit of updating their social statuses online or expressing themselves to the cyber world is viewed as unnecessary or unnatural. They use the web; sometimes applications that enable them to communicate with people from overseas of transactions that do not occur so frequently. After that, they may not touch that same website for a few weeks or months and only use it again when necessary.
A digital “resident” is seen as someone who has already incorporated using the web as a part of a day-to-day norm in his or her lives. They are comfortable with sharing their daily activities online with their social-networks and find it a form of enjoyment. They also tend to enjoy reading and looking through pictures of their friend’s social updates. They stay at using the social-networking platform for a long period of time and check it mostly on a daily basis, as if it were a routine.
Amanda's 
Hi Amanda!
I liked that you mentioned how visitors view social networking sites to be very distant, which they have little concern and trust in. They know that personal information can easily be manipulated or even misconstrued. Instead of jumping on the bandwagon where the sharing of pictures and information by people are so very frequent, they would only visit the web when necessary. Thus, the exposure of their daily lives are really rather minimal since they don’t see the need to live on the web or be engaged in it for long periods of time.
But I feel that residents don’t necessarily always have a strong presence online. Some don’t even engage in social activities as often or at all. I consider myself a “resident” but am rarely active on social networking sites. What are your thoughts about this?
It was nice reading your post
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Good morning Stephanie!
Yes, i love how you have given me a new way to look at this topic by stating being a “digital resident”, one does not necessarily have to have a strong online presence. Some prefers to just anonymously surf the web and prefers to stand on the sidelines watching people post endlessly about their daily whereabouts and activities. Sometimes i feel that life is much easier if we do not have to constantly update our profiles. Having to do this, we have to watch what we say and choose the pictures we post wisely.
However, a huge percentage of my friends and family are “digital residents” that are fairly active on the internet. I guess one reason why we become active is because majority of the people in our lives use this as a form of keeping up with each other and communication.
Do you think most of us use these social media platforms because our friends and family use them? Or merely just to jump onto the bandwagon? (-:
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Hi Amanda!
I really like how you defined digital visitors as you have supported it with many characteristics of these visitors. In your third paragraph, you placed emphasis on the fact that these visitors prefer to stay private and low on the internet, thus contributing to their weak online presence. Also, you mentioned that posting updates and sharing their personal lives on social media are seemed as unnecessary to these visitors. These behaviours may be stemmed from the fact that they are skeptical of the digital world, like you have mentioned in your post. I agree with your points made as they complement each other well and it has allowed me to have a clearer view of the characteristics of a digital visitor.
Thank you for your post! 🙂
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Hi Szeli!
I am glad you enjoyed my post and agree with the points i have made! Its true that this current age is moving towards a more digitally inclined phase and almost everything is very reliant to technology and social media. However we have to keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable with building an online profile and sharing all their information with others. The thought of strangers having the access to their profiles may make them feel unsafe and uncomfortable.
Thank you for taking the time to comment ! (-;
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