Do you wonder what is the way you engage on the web? Digital “visitors” and digital “residents” is a simplified term used to describe the range of ways individuals engage online. They are not two distinct categories but rather a continuum of engagement modes (David and Alison, 2016).
The ‘Resident’ – Do you live a percentage of your life online? Do you find yourself updating your social media profiles as often?
Imagine having a house full of friends where everyone is communicating in-person. For ‘residents’, the web is a “house”, thus, they see the web as a place for them to approach and share information with others (White and Le Cornu, 2011). These people use the web largely to socialize and to express themselves. It could be publishing a post on Facebook, posing tweets on twitter or commenting on blog posts. Social presence is vital and individuals make sure they are frequently connected online.
The ‘Visitor’ – Do you not leave social trace online?
On the other hand, the ‘Visitors’ are individuals who sees the web as a tool and use it to complete their task whenever required. They carry an appropriate and focused need to use the web; and once done, they move on to another task, not leaving any social presence. Do not be confused, ‘visitors’ do engage in online activities such as doing research on specific subjects or purchasing items online. The difference is that they do not put in effort to maintain their presence online and they do not see the need to express themselves virtually. (Tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk, 2016)
Personally, I find myself more as a digital ‘visitor’. I do occasionally update my social media accounts and use the web as a platform to communicate with my friends. However, I do not see the need to constantly express myself online or to maintain my online persona. Indeed, the web is a fascinating platform for us to search for information, share our ideas and express our opinions. However, if we are too carried away expressing ourselves or creating the image that we want others to perceive virtually, we might lose the ability to present ourselves and communicate with others in person.
Ultimately, the different modes should be employed depending on the individual’s motivation and situation. It does not mean that one mode is better than the other. It all depends on the intention and circumstances of the individual.
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References:
David and Alison, (2016). Visitors & Residents. [online] Available at: http://daveowhite.com/vandr/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2016].
Tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk. (2016). TALL blog » Blog Archive » Not ‘Natives’ & ‘Immigrants’ but ‘Visitors’ & ‘Residents’. [online] Available at: http://tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php/2008/07/23/not-natives-immigrants-but-visitors-residents/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2016].
Living & Working on the Web 
Hi Angeline,
I love how you clearly explained the difference between digital ‘Residents’ and ‘Visitors’, particularly on the part where some do get too carried away in creating an image online up to the point where there is a mismatch between perception they create virtually and in real life. I find this true as ‘Residents’ do get a little too carried away making them get confused as to which is their “real self”.
By creating “an image” that we want to be perceived virtually, may eventually pressurize us in maintaining that image as much as we can. It is also quite scary how you are being watched with every little step you take.
Hence, I believe by being easily identified online, there are its advantages and disadvantages where I feel it’s disadvantages outweighs its advantages as there is a lot of up keeping to be made and sometimes it is hard to please everyone around.
Having said that, in this day and age, ‘Residents’ are needed to help promote products online as it is a growing trend.
But I will still stay comfortably in my spot as a ‘Visitor’ 😉
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Hi Angeline, great explanation on the difference between the two ends of the spectrum. Your usage of your the real life situation under the section on residents was really helpful in relating the topic to a real life scenario. You have also provided clear and important information about the topic and it was really easy to grasp the basic understanding of the topic. i also liked your point on the need to maintain communication with other people for our benefit as I do feel the same way too.
I personally am a digital resident as I feel that in the near future, everyone will be judged predominately on who they are on the internet which brings us to the importance of maintaining our online persona.
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Hi Angeline,
I agree with the comment from Vivian T, above and im torn between understanding that the extent of usage of the digital medium is what best describes user as digital resident or visitor.
based on the resident visitor continuum, am i right to say that each individual slides on this balance and there is no distinct segregation between the 2 classifications?
It was a nice read expressing a good grasp of knowledge about this topic. I’ve written a post on this topic, I hope we can share information about this topic.
Do visit my post on this topic at:
https://uosmogan.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/digital-residents-and-visitors/
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Angeline mentioned that “I do occasionally update my social media accounts and use the web as a platform to communicate with my friends. However, I do not see the need to constantly express myself online or to maintain my online persona.” which in my opinion is slightly confusing.
If an individual is updating his/her social media account every now and then or to communicate with friends, that fits under the description of an Digital ‘resident’ where people approach and share information with others (White and Le Cornu, 2011) and a form of expression and maintenance of the online persona, is it not so?
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