Digital Life, Digital Tattoo and the Filter Bubble: raising the awareness and the cautions on online activities through information literacy education

Abstract

Digital life has become an extension of human existence, therefore everyone may now take digital life for granted. Many activities, such as communicating, finding and sharing information, etc. which used to be done through the analog media are now conducted through digital ones. However, many of us may not realize the consequences we have to bear with these online activities. An activity done in the digital environment will affect one’s real life. Being recorded and archived, these activities will be our digital tattoo. They stay forever. This digital tattoo will not only affect one’s reputation but also one’s infosphere. Some may be aware of, first, crafting information about themselves, but most do not realize the second. They are not aware that their infosphere is pretty much determined by their digital tattoo. Many search engines and websites recorded every online activity. They create personalization of information services by applying algorithms based on the archives they stored. This seems to be a convenient way to get information. However, it has its own harm. Such service prevents us from getting information beyond our habits and preferences, thus, it prevent us from having a wider perspective. Eli Periser (2011) called this filter bubble. Everyone needs to know this. Through information literacy education, librarians can help to spread the knowledge on how to maintain digital tattoo and to minimize the filter bubble.