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For this lab, I analyzed three of my own profile pictures from LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter to better understand the messages I am sending through my online self-presentation. Each of these platforms serves a different purpose, so I intentionally selected profile pictures that align with the expectations and audiences of each site. This reflects what Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe (2007) describe as how social networking sites help users maintain different forms of social capital, particularly bridging social capital through weak ties.

My LinkedIn profile picture is a professional photo taken at a University of Illinois club professional development meeting. In the image, I am smiling with my arms crossed, which conveys confidence while still appearing approachable. I selected this picture because LinkedIn is a platform built around professional networking and maintaining weak ties that could lead to future opportunities. According to Ellison et al. (2007), social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn help users activate latent ties by making personal information visible in a low-risk way. This image helps communicate reliability and competence to classmates, recruiters, or acquaintances who may not know me well but could become useful professional connections. However, if this image were used on a more casual platform, it might be misinterpreted as too serious or formal.

My Instagram profile picture is much more casual and expressive. It shows me on vacation wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt while sitting on the edge of a bridge and smiling at the camera. Instagram is a platform focused on social interaction and personal expression, so this image is meant to convey that I am fun, relaxed, and approachable. The setting, clothing, and pose all support this message. Others might interpret this image as adventurous or carefree, though some could misinterpret the photo as risky because of where I am sitting. Still, this kind of selective self-presentation helps strengthen social bonds and maintain a wider network of weak ties, which Ellison et al. (2007) identify as a key benefit of social networking sites.

My Twitter profile picture is the most exaggerated and unserious of the three. In it, I am hanging upside down from a beam, staring straight into the camera like a vampire bat. I chose this image because I mainly use Twitter to consume comedy and entertainment content. This picture signals to others that I do not use the platform for professional or serious interaction. Compared to my Instagram photo, which is subtly humorous, this one is intentionally obvious in its humor.

Overall, my profile pictures change from site to site because each platform supports different types of social capital. By being intentional with my self-presentation, I can better manage how I am perceived online, strengthen weak ties, and gain social capital across different social contexts.Reference
Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook “friends:” Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4), 1143–1168.