The Concept of Digital Modesty

The term "digital modesty" is introduced by Mary Harrington as an ethos regarding the level of personal exposure one should engage in online. Digital modesty implies that not everything should be shared on the internet and that indiscriminate sharing can lead to adverse effects. Harrington sets her personal boundaries by avoiding the publication of selfies, images of her home, or discussions about her family online, believing that such intimate moments should be reserved for oneself and close relations. The concept is likened to a "digital hijab," symbolizing a line drawn to protect one's private life from the public domain.

The Culture of Transparency

Harrington critiques the culture of transparency fostered by the internet age. Stemming from a notion of hippie utopianism, she argues that the internet has created a potentially endless exhibition of private life, which can lead to unhealthy consequences. Documenting every aspect of life can lead to 'audience capture' where individuals end up pandering to viewers' expectations, losing the essence of intimacy in their lives. She highlights how the over-valorization of transparency can be counterproductive, affecting personal relationships and intimacy.

Implications for Relationships and Social Dynamics

Digital modesty is also framed as a mechanism to prevent the deterioration of relationships and social dynamics. Harrington posits that the cultural emphasis on transparency can disrupt genuine connections by having an ever-present imagined audience in one's mind, even in intimate settings like dating. This hurdle to fostering authentic relationships underscores the broader social ramifications of a digitally exposed private life.