See, this dark circle.
I created with my life !

Multiple
Online Identities
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Master of Design - Interaction Design
Supervisor: Haig Armen
2021~2023

Lǐ Wǎn Róng
李婉榕

CONTENTENTS

01

... ...

Keywords

02
Glossary Of
Terms

Page 1

... ...

03
Abstract

Page 2

... ...

Page 3

04

... ...

Introduction

... ...

Context

06
Precedents

... ...

Page 13

Page 4

Page 5

till

Page 12

Page 14

Research
Methods &
Analysis

... ...

Reflections

Page 15

... ...

References

Page 23

Page 24

... ...

Page 25

Acknowledgment

... ...

END

1

Keywords

Bias
Perspectives
Authenticity
Questionnaire
Online Identity
Design Research
Chinese Netizens
Appearance Anxiety
Multiple Online Identities
Documentary-style Interviews
Unexpected Interview Content

2

Glossary Of
Terms

Term

Definition

Online Identity

Online identity is a manifestation of one's self-identity
that is shaped and influenced by the digital environment
in which it exists.

péiwán

陪玩

It means someone who plays video games with another
person, either in person or online, to keep them company
or help them improve their gaming skills. This can be a
paid professional or a friend who enjoys playing games
together.

Multiple Online Identities

The existence of more than one online identity associated
with an individual.

Enforced Isolation

The mandatory restriction of individuals' movement,
typically to prevent the spread of a contagious disease.

The Circle of Friends

WeChat users can post and view posts from WeChat
friends, creating an intimate and private circle of
communication among friends of the user's choosing.

Appearance anxiety

Anxiety or stress related to one's physical appearance,
which may be exacerbated by social media and online
culture.

Social Discourse

The discussion and representation of a particular topic or
issue within a society or culture.

Objective immersion

The ability of a documentary to bring the truth to viewers
and enable them to immerse themselves in the
interviewee's experience.

3

Abstract
Identity is a multifaceted and intricate concept, and there is no precise
standard or definition for the relatively recent phenomenon of "multiple
online identities." This article will present my research on "multiple online
identities" and highlight my concerns.
Initially, I explored various types of "online identities" that exist. Then, I
delved into the definition and differentiation between "online identities"
and "multiple online identities." To accomplish this, I employed several
research methods, including an online questionnaire, an online group
discussion method, and an interview research method.
Conducting "online interviews" was the most suitable option for me, as
most participants were geographically distant from my location. The
project was time-consuming, but the use of online interviews proved to be
highly beneficial.
The most significant breakthrough in my research was presenting the
online interviews on "multiple online identities" in a documentary format.
This article outlines the reasons, process, and summary of my decision to
utilize the documentary format in this research.
The post-interview summaries uncovered various ongoing issues that can
be the subject of future projects. These issues include, but are not limited to,
sensitive words, Virtual Reality (VR) social identities, and other topics
related to “multiple online identities.”

4

Introduction
The article explores the complex topic of online identity and the challenges
arising from privacy, authenticity, and security concerns. While many
consider the negative effects of the fraudulent use of identities online, others
embrace it as a means to create or reinvent their identities. This study focuses
on Chinese netizens who experienced enforced isolation during the pandemic,
leading to their increased reliance on online social networking. Specifically,
the study investigates the existence of multiple online identities and the
challenges they pose. To gain a nuanced and dynamic understanding of the
experiences of individuals with multiple online identities, a long-form
documentary-style interviewing method was used. Through this approach
emotional nuances and complexities were discovered, revealing rich portraits
of their personalities and inner feelings. The interviews also delve into the
misinterpretation of multiple online identities and the biases that individuals
may have toward them. Even with hours and hours of interview footage,
while the topic of online identity is enormous and inconclusive, this project
shows the value of using documentary-style interviews as a rarely used design
research method, highlighting its ability to uncover unexpected details and
themes that emerge only after revisiting topics over a longer period of time.

5

Context

Online identity is a social construct whereby individuals create an identity
on the internet, and it is a topic that every internet user is exposed to.
However, many people still view online identity as a negative topic and
associate it with online fraud. The privacy, authenticity, and security
concerns of the internet have led many internet users to distrust social
networks, making online identity a controversial topic.
According to a 2021 survey conducted by Edelman, only 27 percent of
respondents believed that social media platforms were fair and impartial,
while 56 percent believed that social media companies had excessive
power and influence. The survey also found that 56 percent of respondents
were more concerned about their online privacy than they were five years
ago, indicating increasing concerns about privacy and security. Similarly, a
2021 survey by China's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration
of China (CAC), found that over 80 percent of respondents were concerned
about the privacy and security of their personal information on social
media platforms. These surveys demonstrate that internet users in both
the Western and Chinese contexts share concerns about privacy,
authenticity, and security, resulting in online identity becoming a
controversial topic for many individuals.
Based on my research, a subset of individuals hold the perspective of
"absolute authenticity," whereby they perceive the fundamental nature of
their online identity to be indistinguishable from that of their physical
identity. Others aim to "reinvent/create" and shape new identities online
with different intentions, some of which are good, while others are
malicious. Some people are also half-truths and half-false in their online
identities.
When I learned about "online identity," I realized that many people have
multiple online identities and that we engage in various online activities
using different identities. "Having multiple online identities is more normal
than you think" (Nicole Lee, 2016). The research confirmed this notion, but
it also raised additional questions."The definition of multiple online
identities," "the switching of multiple online identities," and "the
singularity of information display of online identity" are all challenging
issues that affect how people define themselves online and these problems
also give rise to potential problems and even anxiety.
For this study, I decided to create a short documentary about the

6

multiple/single online identities of a group of Chinese netizens,
interviewing them over a few months and documenting their
multiple/single online identities through online interviews. The reason for
selecting Chinese netizens for this research is that most Chinese citizens
were in enforced isolation for at least one year in 2022, which has led to
their much higher reliance on online social networking compared to people
who have not experienced enforced isolation. Thus, the experiences of
Chinese netizens have led them to have more questions about their "online
identity."
During the interviews, I came to the realization that the existence of
multiple online identities is increasingly problematic. In this study, I
interviewed several individuals who represented different aspects of
online identity, including those who shifted their focus from offline to
online, those who are enthusiastic about online dating, and those who
have always worked online. Through these interviews, I followed their
stories from the inception of their online lives and the creation of their first
online identities to their online identities today.
Forced Online Identity Anxiety
In recent years, the development of the Internet has revolutionized the
working conditions of individuals. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19
pandemic, various countries implemented lockdown measures, and the
vast majority of people transitioned their work and social lives to the
Internet. This period led to unprecedented growth in the cyber world. In
China, the government enforced a mandatory quarantine policy in
January 2020, resulting in a boom of "universal internet access" among the
Chinese population.
róng mào jiāo lǜ
In February 2021, the Internet buzzword “ 容 貌 焦 虑 (1) ” (Appearance
Anxiety) appeared in the context of Chinese social media and online
culture. That reminds me of an article by Johnson, N. F., & Selwyn, N.
(2014). The authors argue that people can feel anxious under the pressure
to present a certain image or maintain a certain reputation online, this also
is one of the challenges of managing online identities in a digital world.

One of the participants in my study, Lily, was compelled to move the focus
of her life to the online realm and present herself strategically in order to
attract more followers and increase her online presence. This process of
(2)
packaging her online identity triggered feelings of anxiety about how she
was being perceived and represented in the digital space. She was a model
before the outbreak, but she lost her job after the outbreak, while China's
mandatory quarantine policy exacerbated her financial crisis. She was
forced to look for opportunities to work on the Internet. She eventually
chose to become an anchor.

róng mào jiāo lǜ
(1) 容 貌 焦 虑 means those
who are not confident in
their appearance. It can also
be translated as Appearance
Anxiety

(2) "Packaging" implies taking

a thoughtful and strategic
approach to present oneself
in order to generate interest
and gain more followers or
online traffic.

7

She told me that she felt more pressure and anxiety than ever before,
under the guise of self-packaging and pretending. She sees photos and
content posted by other bloggers on social media, is confused and even
more anxious about why other people's lives are so different from hers,
and have to "copy" similar content from them and post it in order to attract
more followers to watch her live. Her preference-based feeds led to her
receiving more and more content about "other people's good lives", which
led to increased anxiety. One of her most frequent comments to me was "I
don't even know who I am anymore". She became a "victim" and a
"victimizer" of others.
Exploring new ways to express online identities can help reduce the
overwhelming focus on appearance, and allow individuals to shift their
focus to other aspects of their identity such as hobbies, talents, personality,
and experiences, which may alleviate some individuals' appearance
anxiety. However, it is important to recognize that this approach may not
be effective for everyone, as the underlying causes of appearance anxiety
can be complex and multifaceted.
Just as an article headline reads, "You are so much more than what you
look like" (Jessica Jensen, 2014). I believe that we are all multifaceted and
complex, and online identities should have more diverse ways of
expression.
The Misinterpretation Of Multiple Online Identities
The biggest challenge I encountered in my research on "various
presentations of online identities/multiple online identities" was the
prevalent bias against having multiple online identities. Due to various
influences, people interpret multiple identities online differently. For
example, in the survey I conducted, I found that many participants had
multiple online identities. However, despite enjoying the benefits that
having multiple identities online can bring, some individuals still refused
to acknowledge that they had multiple identities for various reasons. This
led me to explore in depth what influences so many participants to have
negative biases toward multiple online identities.
Having multiple identities can be misunderstood or negatively perceived
due to the influence of social discourse. In some cases, having multiple
online identities may be viewed as deception or insincerity. For instance,
the 2018 Wang Sicong WeChat fraud case and the 2012 Manti Te'o fake
girlfriend case, as well as the 2019 Anna Sorokin New York scam socialite
(3)
case , which was made into a documentary and released on February 11,
2022, on Netflix. These are all famous and sensationalized examples of
using multiple identities for deception or disguise, and social discourse
reinforces negative events or cases associated with multiple online

(3)

The 2018 Wang Sicong
WeChat fraud case. the 2012
Manti Te'o fake girlfriend
case and the 2019 Anna
Sorokin New York scam
socialite
case.
These
authentic cases pertain to
the malevolent exploitation
of multiple digital identities.

8

identities, further strengthening negative perceptions. This negative
impact may lead to mistrust or aversion towards multiple online identities,
and even deter individuals from creating multiple online identities.
Personal experiences and beliefs can shape people's perceptions of multiple
online identities. Some individuals believe in presenting a consistent self
across all social media platforms and refrain from exhibiting different
identities. During my research, I came across participants who shared this
perspective, but I don't agree with this idea. In the article "Online Identity
and the Paradox of Choice" (Serge P. da Motta Veiga, Mauro S. Siqueira, 2019)
suggests that individuals should aim for a coherent, rather than a
consistent, online identity that allows for flexibility and adaptation to
different online contexts. I also think that online identity should help
individuals adapt to different online environments and present different
aspects of their personalities.
It is imperative for individuals to set aside their biases and adopt a
receptive attitude towards the notion of having diverse online identities,
given that each person harbors unique aspects of their personality that can
be expressed through various virtual personas. As long as these identities
are not employed with malicious intentions, there is no valid reason for
individuals not to explore different dimensions of their personalities in the
online realm.
Documentary Style Interviews
As a medium, documentary films possess an exceptional ability to share
and disseminate information due to their potential for distribution across
various platforms. Documentary films offer viewers a glimpse into
different cultures, societies, and historical contexts, expanding their
perspectives and ways of thinking. Moreover, utilizing documentary films
as a research method can aid individuals in gaining a better understanding
of societal phenomena and historical events, making it highly valuable for
scholars and researchers. For designers, watching documentary films can
also serve as a source of inspiration and revelation, expanding their design
thinking and perspectives.
Although the documentary film is rarely used as a design method, there
have been a number of references to using this approach in design which
have proven to be valuable and inspiring. Such as "Home Matters"
( Stanford Longevity Center, Olderhood Group, 2016), the film shows us
older adults living independently in their homes and their challenges and
aspirations. The film provided interdisciplinary designers with inspiration
and a much deeper understanding of their users through the immersive
medium of film.

9

There is an article that mentioned, "Design documentaries can help
designers and researchers to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and
developments in their field, as well as to learn from the experiences and
insights of others” (Bas Rajimakers, William W. Gacer, Jon Bishay, 2006).
Before I made the documentary, I had conducted an extensive survey on
Chinese netizens and observed contradictions and conflicts surrounding
the use of multiple identities online, but failed to comprehend the
underlying reasons for such behavior. It was only after conducting the
documentary interviews that I was able to identify some of the causes for
these contradictions.
I used a long-term, continuous online interview and filmed and recorded it
as a documentary. Through the documentary interview research
approach, I have discovered more benefits of this long-term, continuous
online documentary, which not only helps to build more trust between the
interviewer and the interviewee but also to tell a more authentic story. It
also allows me to witness the change and growth of the interviewees. The
online interview format also provides a more convenient, comfortable, and
secure environment for the interviewee.
First, a long interview time helps build trust and comfort between
Interviewers and interviewees. At the beginning of the interview, the
interviewees felt unfamiliar and distrustful towards the interviewer, and
were reluctant to share their true feelings and thoughts, however, as time
went on, I, as the interviewer, interacted more with the interviewees and
made them drop their guard and share their stories and opinions more
sincerely.
At the same time, the longer interview time record helps the audience to
"Objective immersion". Documentaries, in my view, are more adept at
bringing the truth to viewers and enabling them to immerse themselves in
the interviewee's experience, thereby better understanding the
interviewee's attitude and emotions. As I progressed through the
interviews, it felt as though I was exploring the birth, growth, constant
reshaping, and even "death" of each Avatar. I witnessed interviewees
switching back and forth between the virtual and real worlds and
observed respondents being "saved" or pulled deeper into the abyss by the
identities they had created online. I anticipate that viewers of the
documentary would immerse themselves in the interviewees' stories and
explore what interests them.
Secondly, a long-term interview/continuous interview/ cyclical interview
gives the interviewer and the interviewee sufficient time to think
independently. The ample time between each interview helped me to
adjust the content and communication style of the next interview to help
the interviewees express their true thoughts, and during the gap between
interviews, the interviewees were consciously aware of the multiple

10

online identities they were using and reflected on their use of multiple
identities. Simultaneously, this ongoing recording of the same interviewee
can enable both myself and the audience to witness the changes in the
interviewee's online identity over time.
Finally, online interviews are a convenient, comfortable, and secure form
of remote research. Firstly, even if the interviewee and interviewer are in
different regions or countries, they can easily meet online. Secondly, both
parties can choose a comfortable environment for the online interview.
Lastly, the security and privacy of online interviews can help interviewees
feel more willing to share their true feelings. Josh Lamar (2020) said
"Computer-mediated communication creates a distance between us, but in
the case of remote research, this distance can be used to our advantage: we
can use it to make users feel more comfortable about opening up to sharing
what they really feel." The online interview format additionally facilitates
the establishment of a "no-lose" environment in which interviewees feel
comfortable expressing their genuine emotions. I have found it crucial to
foster such an environment, as interviewees may occasionally engage in
behaviors that they themselves do not endorse.
Nan is one of the interviewees I spent the most time building trust. During
the first interview, Nan, described one of her experiences using multiple
online identities as a single twenty-year-old female college student who
had developed a relationship with a male online friend. While she
generously shared her story and emotions regarding her use of multiple
identities online, she became evasive when I asked about the relationship
between her online and real-life identities. Consequently, I spent a
significant amount of time building trust with Nan until the second
interview, when she began to share her genuine emotions and stories. In
reality, Nan is thirty-two years old and has a boyfriend. She is dating one
person online and one person in real life. In traditional Chinese culture,
women are expected to marry in their twenties, and unmarried women
over the age of thirty may face pressure and discrimination. Although she
disagrees with this belief, her parents continuously pressure her to marry
due to the influence of this traditional Chinese view, leading her to
maintain this relationship in real life. She said, "I'm anxious. Due to my age,
getting married and having children as soon as possible seems to be the
most important thing for me. But I'm confused. Although I don't hate my
boyfriend in real life. But if I marry him, I can almost see my entire life in
front of me, and that's not what I want. I'm aware that establishing a
relationship online is difficult to have in the future, but this emotional
relationship online can temporarily allow me to escape reality and feel the
freedom of love without age restrictions.”. By the time we conducted our
third interview, Nan was still in a relationship with both her online and
real boyfriends, but she was slowly focusing her life and work online, even
starting a business with the boyfriend she was dating online.

11

Through the lengthy and repeated online interviews with Nan, I became
aware of the pressure and anxiety that Chinese women face due to the
traditional views of aging and parental pressure to marry, and how Nan
used multiple online personas to alleviate the pressure of escaping reality.
While I do not endorse this approach, I understand the reasoning behind
her actions after hearing her story. I believe that without enough time to
build trust and repeated interviews, I would not have been able to learn
the truth and understand the reality of how this anxiety affects online
identity-building.
As a film director, I am aware that surprises are always bound to happen
(4)
during filming, and sometimes these " Surprises/Accidents " can actually
make a film even better, we also call it “The Accidents of Film Creation”.
This is one of the reasons why I chose to use the method of creating a
documentary of the interviews carried out in this research, as you never
know what kind of story you're going to hear, and I wanted to discover and
document issues that I may not have been aware of before.
In this project, I did indeed encounter several surprises during the
interviews. For example, one of my interviewees initially only mentioned
having multiple online identities and switching genders for socializing
online when applying to be part of the documentary. However, during the
actual online interview, her story of having "multiple identities online"
turned out to be much more complex and compelling. She shared her
experiences of being bullied in school and how this led her to focus her
social life online, only to later be deceived by an online date and
subsequently become an internet user who frequently switches gender
personas. She also highlighted lesser-known areas of knowledge such as
"online game actors" (a group of actors who use different game models to
act with a script), "cyber violence", and "Voice Changer & Change Voice" in
her interview.
I had originally planned to conduct all the interviews within two months,
with each interviewee being interviewed three times. However, as China's
lockdown policy continued to change in 2022, I discovered that the
interviewees' status without a lockdown in place differed from their
interview status when they were forced into isolation, and their attitudes
toward their virtual online identities continued to evolve over time. Thus, I
extended the two-month interview period to five months or more. One of
my interviewees has experienced China's COVID-19 quarantine policy,
witnessed the "2022 Urumqi Fire," and participated in protests against
China's "zero tariffs" prevention policy. These are all significant events that
occurred in China during this unique period. These "surprises" of the
documentary not only inspire researchers to go deeper into the subject
matter but can also give them inspiration for other topics. These events
could serve as the basis for a documentary film on "China's COVID-19
Quarantine." The documentary could cover the period from February 2020

(4) The notion of "accidents"

in the realm of film creation
was first introduced by the
French film theorist André
Bazin. According to Bazin's
belief, these unexpected
occurrences during the
process of film creation have
the potential to infuse the
finished
product
with
vitality
and
novelty,
thereby
rendering
the
storyline more dynamic and
engrossing for the audience.

12

to the present day, highlighting the personal experiences and perspectives
of individuals affected by these events.
While documentary-style interviews are not typically employed in design
research, I found this approach to be the most optimal choice given the
research focus on online multiple identities.
Through this documentary, my goal is to highlight the advantages of
utilizing in-depth, repeated interviews, and documentary filmmaking as a
research method for designers, especially those exploring controversial
topics in society. As designers, it is crucial to maintain a neutral and openminded attitude, recognizing the significance of comprehending the
participants' psychology. Additionally, it's essential to have the courage to
question the answers received and consistently experiment with new
approaches.
Simultaneously, I hope to not only inspire more designers but also to help
viewers better understand the concept and use of online multiple
identities. Online multiple identities are not a negative concept and the
purpose of this documentary is not to actively promote the benefits of
having online multiple identities. It's like Romain Rolland (1904) said “It is
not science that is at fault, but man himself.” we should understand that
online multiple identities are tools that each person uses to achieve
different purposes in online socializing, and it is the person who uses the
tools that determines how good or bad the online multiple identities they
create is.

13

Precedents
My analysis of social media users' online logins/profiles has revealed that
there are several prevalent design trends for displaying personal identities.
These design trends are intended to enable users to represent themselves in
the most authentic and expressive way possible, while also making it easier
for other users to establish relationships and communicate with them.
One notable example of social networking software that has undergone
significant changes in terms of its design trends is Tencent QQ . While
(5)
Tencent QQ was once the most widely used social networking software in
China, it has now been surpassed by WeChat , which is known for its
(6)
simplified functions.

(5) Tencent QQ, also known

as QQ, an instant messaging
software
developed
by
Tencent,
a
Chinese
technology company.
(6) WeChat

*Photo or picture
Any photo in any size
format

is

an

instant
messaging
software
launched by Tencent in
2011.

Four optional states that
can be shown to others

Nickname

Online
Leave
Invisible
Offline

Sentence

Gender

Age

Chinese zodiac

Constellation

Birthday

Blood Type

Nickname. *Limited
number of words.
Can use special symbols
or emoji

*One or more sentences
to show others, such as
moods, emotions, etc.
Limited number of
words,
Special symbols or emoji
can be used

*More information after
expansion:
Nickname
Cell phone
Phone number
E-mail
Company
Occupation
School
Region
Hometown
Home
Description
(7)

This is the profile display
of “China 2023 Tencent QQ
MAC version”, an instant
messaging
software
developed by Tencent, a
Chinese
technology
company.

(7)

14

According to official data released by Tencent, WeChat's user base
surpassed that of Tencent QQ at the end of 2012, representing a significant
milestone for the platform. Since then, WeChat has experienced rapid
growth, and as of March 2021, boasts more than 1.2 billion monthly active
accounts. Although one person may have multiple accounts, this data still
shows that WeChat is one of the most popular social platforms in China. In
contrast, Tencent QQ's user base has been gradually declining, although it
still maintains a considerable presence in China and other parts of Asia.
Through my analysis, I have identified a range of options for displaying
online identity types for both Tencent QQ and WeChat. These options
include an avatar, nickname, gender, QR code, video, and ringtone. Of these
options, customization of a personal QR code and setting a ringtone that
represents the user's identity are frequently utilized.
Tencent and WeChat offer unique ringtones that differ from the default
ringtones for incoming calls on mobile phones. This feature enables users
to express their online identity beyond voice, text, picture, and video. Users
can set a ringtone that represents their personality, tastes, and interests,
providing another avenue for self-expression.
Furthermore, my research has revealed that enriching the variety of
online identities displayed does not necessarily require adding more
options for displaying online identities. For instance, Tencent provides
more options than WeChat for displaying "online identities" categories,
such as school information, horoscope, cubes zodiac, and blood type. On the
other hand, WeChat's "circle of friends" feature allows users to share
images and short videos along with their profile content, providing a
platform for self-expression.
In addition to exploring online identities, I have also examined the ability
to switch between multiple online identities. Many social media platforms,
such as WeChat, Tencent, Google, and Instagram, allow users to switch
between multiple accounts by distinguishing them via avatar, nickname,
email address, or account ID. This feature is particularly useful for
individuals who wish to separate their personal and professional identities,
or for those who have multiple identities in different social contexts.
Overall, my research has demonstrated that variety, convenience, and
practicality are essential factors for users when it comes to online
identities. While there are various options for displaying online identities,
the ability to switch between multiple identities remains limited to a few
options. However, as social media platforms continue to evolve and users'
needs change, it is likely that the options for displaying and switching
between multiple online identities will become more diverse and nuanced.

15

Research
Methods &
Analysis
February. 2022

In the earliest phase of my research, I chose to research by creating a series
of experiments to explore how people might express their identities using
music, emojis, or color sequences. The outcomes of these early experiments
were interesting and showed how subjective the topic can be.
Questionnaire "Post Card": This questionnaire card required the subject to
answer questions for eight consecutive days. The purpose of this card was
for the subject to use music, emojis, or colors to represent their feeling of
the moment as a new way of displaying their online identity.
April. 2022

Through secondary source research and analytical studies, I selected four
popular and widely used online social networking platforms in the Chinese
market to study and understand their creation, presentation, and the
variety of "online identities" on these platforms. This research method
helped me quickly understand the current state of creation, presentation,
and variety of "online identities" on popular social networking sites in
China.
I used an online questionnaire to determine what the research
participants thought and created in terms of their "online identity." This
approach was ideal for my project as the questionnaires could be widely
distributed on the Internet, making it convenient for data collection.

May. 2022

In May 2022, I used an online group discussion method to understand the
definition of "online identity" and "online multiple identities" of the study
participants. The advantage of this approach was that I could quickly find
research subjects online who I could ask questions, and more accurately
understand their perspectives.
June. 2022

In June 2022, I created a second online questionnaire to observe the
perceptions and attitudes of the research participants toward "multiple
online identities."

16
July. 2022

In July 2022, I utilized an interview research method and conducted three
interviews lasting more than one and a half hours each over a four-month
period. This long-format interview was a new experience for me where I
discovered new questions about "online multiple identities." Getting to
know the research subjects better in this stage of the research was crucial
to the future direction of the project.
November. 2022

In November 2022, I interviewed professional psychologists about the
relationship between "online multiple identities" and psychology.
Questionnaire "PostCard "
I explored a new way of displaying online identity through "Postcards" of
daily questionnaires sent to the survey participants. Each "Postcard" had a
different hand-drawn illustration and date, and was designed to be placed
on the subject’s desktop for decoration and to serve as a "short-term
calendar."
I used this questionnaire as it required handwritten responses for eight
consecutive days and I designed the presentation to make it more
interesting for participants to persist in completing it. This type of
questionnaire helped find commonalities and differences through the
subjects’ daily content. It was more intuitive and simpler for participants to
complete.
The card contained the following questions:
Write down how you feel right now? Your Mood
Write down your name here but not your signature!
Circle the emoji that you feel right now
Circle the color that you feel today
Choose 3-4 notes that you feel like today!

17

The final question required participants to visit a website and choose a
note or accompaniment that represents their state and send it to me.
Initially, I was concerned about the complexity of completing this question
and whether it would affect the results, but all responses received had
complete and interesting answers.
I found that most people changed their favorite colors, emojis, and melodies
or notes depending on their mood. In addition, many people take a long
time to choose notes as they are not familiar with all the notes, so they do
not know how to choose or because they enjoy the process of choosing
music.
One user responded, "I sometimes change the color of my phone's desktop
wallpaper or post an emoji on my social media account according to my
mood. It's fun to show my mood or status with melodies."
Online Questionnaire
In this study, an online questionnaire was utilized to inquire about the
participants' perceptions and manifestations of "online identity". The
questionnaire consisted of inquiries that aimed to define online identity,
describe how the participants define their online identity, explore the
participants' preferred methods for presenting their online personality or
character, determine the participants' opinions regarding the variety of
online identities available, explore additional elements that could be added
to their online identity profile to accurately represent them, to inquire
about the participants' preferences for alternative methods of presenting
their online identity or personality, to determine the participants'
awareness and feelings towards the "account switching" feature, and to
explore the presence of multiple identities online and how they are
distinguished and utilized.
The results of the survey demonstrated that many participants were
inclined towards creating and utilizing "avatars" to represent their online
identity. For instance, a participant noted that their avatar was an emoji
that conveyed their personality while also providing additional privacy.
Additionally, numerous participants proposed alternative methods for
representing their online identities, such as using a voice, an environment,
an animal, an anime character, or a game character.
However, some participants expressed disinterest in the concept of
creating an online identity, with one participant stating that they believed
socializing on the internet was not true to them and that the internet was
merely a tool for living.
Some participants had multiple accounts and used the "account switching"
feature on social platforms, but denied having multiple identities online.

18

This led me to reflect on how having multiple social media accounts does
not necessarily mean having multiple online identities. Multiple online
identities mean that a person has multiple different identities online, each
with their own unique characteristics, interests, and social circles that can
be used in different contexts.
Although some social media platforms allow users to create multiple
accounts, these accounts are usually on the same platform, and the user's
identity information and social circles overlap. Therefore, these accounts
do not represent true multiple online identities.
However, at the same time, it is worth noting that some participants are
typical examples of having multiple online identities but still denied
having multiple online identities in the questionnaire. Through my
knowledge of some of the participants, past and present, they had at least
two or more online identities.
I began to wonder if this was due to a problem with the questionnaire
design, or if it was due to a misunderstanding of the questionnaire by the
participants.
Online Group Discussion Method
This study aimed to understand the definitions of "online identity" and
"online multiple identities" by utilizing the online group discussion method.
This method has both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it is
more efficient compared to traditional methods of communication, such as
questionnaires. On the other hand, the number of questions that can be
prepared is limited, and there is a risk of deviation from the original
research question, particularly when dealing with large groups.

"

What do you think are the definitions of online identity

and

online

multiple

?

respectively

""

understand

"

identity

Why

How

do

you

?”

What defines as your multiple identities

would

anyone

have

a

bias

against

multiple

?"

identities on the line

“Tell me what you think about Online
Identity & Multiple Online Identities”
The research question posed to the study participants was: "Tell me what
you think about Online Identity & Multiple Online Identities." This
question was posted in four interest groups across various social media
platforms following consultation. However, the group discussion revealed
that the question was not adequate to meet the research objectives.

19

Participants had different definitions of multiple online identities, with the
term "deception" being the most frequently used term to describe it.
It became evident that the research question was not comprehensive, and
participants had misconceptions about the term. Some even believed that
multiple online identities referred to groups of online fraudsters.
Therefore, to confirm the participants' understanding of multiple online
identities as defined in this study, several questions were formulated to
explore their views on the topic.
Online Questionnaire II
To further investigate the perceptions and attitudes of research
participants towards "multiple online identities," a second online
questionnaire was developed. The initial set of questions was designed to
confirm whether the subjects had multiple online identities as defined in
this study. However, the results of these questions were not indicative of
whether the study participants had multiple online identities. Thus,
additional questions were formulated to explore the topic further. These
questions are as follows:
Do you have more than one social media account, including social
media accounts on different platforms?
Is the information on the social media accounts you currently use on
different platforms unified?
Have you ever had multiple social media accounts on the same
platform simultaneously?
Do you have the same "online friends" on your social media accounts
on each platform?
With the inclusion of these questions, the second online research
questionnaire was completed. The following are the results:
The majority of study participants had four or more social accounts on
different social media platforms.
Most of the study participants have used or are currently using two
social media accounts on the same platform.
The majority of study participants had non-duplicate online friends on
different social media platforms.
Most of the study participants changed the content of their personal
information when they used social media for different purposes.
These findings provide insight into the behaviors of research participants
regarding their multiple online identities. The findings suggest that having
multiple social media accounts on different platforms is a common practice
and that most participants do not have the same online friends on each
social media platform. In addition, participants tend to modify their

20

personal information on social media when using it for different purposes.
In this way, it was found that the majority of participants would use
switch accounts to convert their multiple online identities. At the same
time, I found that different social accounts represent different social
networks, so my participants used account switching to switch their
multiple online identities, which demonstrates the singularity of how
users switch their identities online.
Overall, these results may help to inform future research into the online
identity and multiple online identities.
Documentary Interview
The interview research method was employed to investigate the creation
of online identities and the reasons for having multiple online identities
among study participants. Over a four-month period, from July to October
2022, five research participants were interviewed online and recorded,
with three interviews lasting more than one and a half hours each. The
primary focus of these interviews was to gain insight into participants'
feelings and thoughts about having multiple online identities when
switching between them.
To conduct the interviews, 50 questions were prepared in advance, with a
distinction made between "must-ask questions" and "other questions to
ask." After the first interview, questions tailored to each participant's story
were formulated for subsequent interviews.
Through an analysis of the keywords mentioned by the five research
subjects, the word "depression" emerged as a common theme. The in-depth
interviews with the five participants confirmed that they had all
experienced or were currently experiencing varying degrees of depression.
As a result, the next step was to conduct interviews with professional
psychologists to further explore this matter.
Chinese Psychologist Interview
This research is aimed at comprehensively exploring the various
psychological aspects associated with the creation of online identity and its
effects on individuals. The study examines the psychological effects of
adults who primarily socialize online, as well as the potential changes that
arise from utilizing "multiple online identities". It also investigates the
phenomenon of changing social gender online, including those who
maintain their altered social identity versus those who occasionally
switch. Additionally, the study provides a professional definition of
multiple identities and online multiple identities and distinguishes
between the two. The research delves into the psychological basis
underlying the increased acceptance of multiple genders, such as the

21

acceptance of oneself, which has been facilitated by the Internet.
Furthermore, it explores the psychological implications of the growing
popularity of virtual reality (VR) in the online world and considers the
potential impact on individuals' psychology as they become increasingly
dependent on technology and online socialization.
I conducted interviews with two Chinese psychology experts, both of
whom had contrasting opinions on the psychological effects of multiple
online identities. One psychology teacher, who held relatively
conservative views, believed that multiple online identities could be easily
influenced by other internet information and have a negative impact on
users. On the other hand, the other psychology teacher believed that
constructing multiple identities online would become an important topic
for studying the psychology of online identities.
However, despite their professional expertise, I encountered a noticeable
difference in perception which prevented me from fully adopting their
opinions.
There is a conflict between the traditional Chinese concepts and the
modern concepts. Traditional Chinese concepts emphasizes authenticity
and honesty, whereby an individual's true identity is recognized and
respected. In contrast, the modern era places greater value on individuality
and diversity, with people aspiring to showcase their different traits and
personalities in varied social contexts. Having multiple identities online
enables them to fulfill this desire, facilitating the presentation of diverse
facets of their persona.
As a result, I believe that it is essential to strike a balance and compromise
between the traditional Chinese concept and the modern concept of
multiple identities online in practical application. Individuals must weigh
their personal needs and values thoughtfully while also respecting and
appreciating the significance of traditional culture. This approach allows
for the appropriate utilization of online multiple identities, catering to
personal needs while also adhering to ethical guidelines inherent in
traditional Chinese culture.
Production of Documentary
The initial phase of any documentary project is critical, as it sets the stage
for the entire production. Therefore, as a filmmaker, I believe that it is
essential to develop and implement a comprehensive plan prior to filming.
To this end, I have organized and planned a range of essential tasks that
must be completed before filming can commence.
The first crucial task is to establish a clear and concise creative concept,
which forms the foundation for the entire documentary. In this instance,

22

the creative concept centers on exploring the concept of online identity
and its relationship with a person's true identity. To bring this theme to
life, the film will follow a group of "Chinese netizens " exploring their
stories and experiences surrounding their online identities. The interviews
will be conducted utilizing the Tencent Meetings online video
conferencing platform, which is similar to Zoom and supports video and
voice calls on various devices. Due to the fact that the interviewees are
dispersed throughout different regions of China, this approach was
deemed the most efficient means of conducting and recording the
interviews.
Once the creative concept has been established, the next task is to carefully
select interviewees based on their applications and conduct online
interviews to gather information and insights. Conducting a thorough
series of interviews is critical, as it helps the filmmaker to understand the
nuances of each interviewee's online identity, their experiences, and the
changes they have undergone over time.
With the story and characters established, the next step is to execute the
plan, which will be divided into three distinct phases: pre-production,
interview, and post-production. Pre-production will involve confirming
the interviewee's schedule, organizing the interview questions, and
sending them to the interviewee before the shoot. During the interview
phase, audio recording is required, and regular monitoring is necessary to
ensure that all dialogue is captured without any issues. Additionally, other
team members will be present during the shoot to help ensure a smooth
process.
Once filming is complete, post-production activities will commence,
including editing, screen production, mixing, and recording any necessary
voiceovers. Due to confidentiality agreements with interviewees, they will
not appear in the film. However, I had developed several plans to address
this issue, such as using direct screen recording from online interview
sessions, creating an animation, or drawing a portrait/cartoon of each
interviewee.
In order to ensure the timely and cost-effective completion of the project, I
developed a comprehensive timeline based on the project plan, estimating
the required time for each step and validating the timeline with the
interviewees. The timeline was developed in July 2022, and according to its
projections, I anticipate having a trailer for the first draft of the
documentary ready by April-May 2023. The full documentary, including
all interviews and additional content, is expected to be completed in the
fall of 2023. In summary, through a thorough and organized approach, the
goal is to create a successful and captivating documentary that explores the
complex and intriguing world of online identities.

23

Top cast

(8)

jiào jiào
觉 觉

(8) The

above are the
nicknames
of
the
interviewers, due to the
privacy requirements of
some of the Interviewees,
some of the avatars are
represented by hand-drawn.

nán shēng
楠 笙

xǐ zi
玺 子

gàn fàn
干 饭

nán
楠

Name Of The Documentary
During the early stages of documentary production, selecting an
appropriate name is crucial for the film's success and impact. For this
reason, I have chosen the Chinese idiom "Fox borrowing the tiger's might"
hújiǎhǔwēi
or "Fox in tiger's clothing" (Chinese:
) as the title for my
狐假虎威
documentary. This idiom features a fable that illustrates the complexities
of power and privilege, providing inspiration for my chosen theme.
The fable follows a fox who cleverly escapes the tiger's grasp and then uses
the tiger's power to intimidate and threaten other animals. While this
story is often used to criticize those who use their power to bully and
dominate others, my interpretation is different. I see the fox's behavior as
an example of strategic thinking and resourcefulness, using its own tools to
navigate a competitive environment and achieve its goals. This is relevant
to my documentary theme, which explores the ways in which individuals
can use their online identities to achieve their goals.
To identify suitable interviewees, I will post casting information on
relevant online communities and platforms. I am interested in individuals
who have used their online identities to create a space for themselves and
achieve their desired outcomes. By showcasing these individuals in my
documentary, I hope to demonstrate the power of online identity as a tool
for achieving one's goals.
In the fable, the tiger represents power and privilege. In my documentary,
it serves as a metaphor for the armor that some individuals use to face
external challenges more bravely in order to achieve their desired
outcomes. This idiom is closely related to my documentary theme, as it
emphasizes the importance of using one's own resources to confront any
obstacle and achieve one's goals.
Overall, "Fox Borrowing the Tiger's Might" is an appropriate and
meaningful title for my documentary. By exploring the perspectives of
individuals who have successfully leveraged their online identities to
achieve their desired outcomes, I hope to provide a fresh perspective on the
power of online identity and its role in goal attainment.

24

Reflections
This study delved into the intricate issue of online identity, encompassing
its diverse forms of expression, privacy, authenticity, and the
accompanying anxiety. The societal discourse, at times, misconstrued the
notion of multiple online identities. Importantly, this study emphasizes the
significance of listening attentively and adopting a tolerant approach.
In order to gain a profound comprehension of individuals possessing
multiple online identities, a documentary-style online interview method
was employed to capture subtle emotional nuances and complexities.
However, it is pertinent to acknowledge that this approach has certain
limitations regarding the consumption of resources and time. Nevertheless,
with the constant advancements in technology and the internet, the
quality of such documentaries is expected to improve.
The filming of the documentary interviews presented two major issues.
Firstly, the visual presentation in post-production posed a significant
challenge due to the confidentiality agreement, which restricted access to
any visual footage for the film. As a result, it was necessary to consider the
most appropriate visual presentation that could engage the audience.
Various options, including conducting interviews within a game or
filming an online conference interface, were evaluated, but all presented
challenges due to copyright concerns.
Secondly, translating the interviews, which were conducted in Chinese,
was a time-consuming task. The interviewees frequently used popular
online slang, necessitating the search for meanings in Chinese. The process
of translating sentence by sentence was also challenging. An alternative
approach, using a translation plugin synchronized with the video
playback, was considered, but it was discovered that instant translation
can sometimes be inaccurate.
Future research endeavors include exploring interactive videos and
transforming this documentary into an interactive documentary.
Additionally, investigating innovative methods to express multiple online
identities, such as scent, is an area of interest.

25

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END

Acknowledgment

恭敬在心 不在虚文

"
,
"
"True respect is in the heart, and does not require such empty forms”

Shen, F. (1983). Six Records of a Floating Life. Translated by Lin Yutang, Penguin Classics.
(Chinese:
, Fu sheng liu ji)

浮生六記