Week 5 Reflection

This week left me thinking more deeply about ethics in digital spaces. Whether we’re sharing a meme, remixing a TikTok sound we’re participating in a vast, collaborative system. However, it isn’t always transparent who benefits or who gets credit. 

One major takeaway was that we’re all content creators now, even if we don’t see ourselves that way. A simple repost, a video reaction, or a captioned image all contribute to the bigger digital ecosystem. It’s so easy to forget that someone, somewhere, created the source. This week reminded me that honoring that origin matters. We can consider the source more carefully through citation, context, or just by taking a moment to ask where something came from, before resharing.

I also explored the idea of digital memory and how easily meaning can erode over time. It made me reflect on trends like the Ice Bucket Challenge. Once a viral campaign tied to a clear cause, it’s now often remembered only as a fun stunt. The original message about ALS awareness has faded in many people’s minds. This made me wonder if we are archiving enough of our online culture with intention. 

Lastly, this week brought home the emotional and ethical complexity of identity management online, especially as an educator. In a way, I am constantly curating my digital presence. I have to carefully navigate how to separate my public and professional identity from my private life, and decide which parts of myself to share online. That kind of curation can influence how I'm perceived, who I connect with, and how authentically I am able to show up in my personal and professional worlds.