How do you define [your] space – public v. private,  physical v. virtual? This is something that I’m continually pondering as I reassess my involvement in various physical and virtual communities. There is only so much time in a day, and I strive to ensure that my participation is intentional and focused. There are public and private components to both physical and virtual arenas, but it is sometimes easier to define public and private spaces within the physical world as opposed to virtual ones, or at least for me.

Take Facebook, in some ways it is very easy to control how I navigate within this space – I control who I friend, which requests I accept and the options that are selected for the account. However, I am aware of my responsibility as a participant and am mindful of how I want to be perceived within the space. Though it should be noted that I am slightly more aware of my online rights and responsibilities then most.

Like the physical divvying of space, the virtual definition of space should ultimately be left in the hands of the participant, but this is not always the case, as certain sites predefine or default these decisions. Ultimately the question that remains is, how do you make the case for, and  enhance, digital literacy to ensure folks are not only educated, but empowered to control their virtual participation with the same thoughtfulness that they impart on their physical  lives each and everyday?