Social media is a crucial element in today’s society. In Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat people can share their interests, opinions and lifestyles. The personalities people display online is not always the same one they have in reality. Rather, people select what to let out and how they’d like to be perceived. That brings up an intriguing point, do we present our authentic selves online, or do we project something we think we’d be accepted if we did?
The Performance of Identity
Erving Goffman’s theory of self-presentation is one approach to understanding and conceptualising digital identity. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1956) is a comparison by Goffman of social interactions to a theatrical performance, meaning that people will alter their behaviour with respect to the people they are trying to impress.
This is especially true when it comes to social media. For instance, someone may take a lot of photos of various things at the holidays, of fancy clothes or exciting events, and not post any of the pictures when they are in a stressful or insecure state. This generates a sort of an idealised version of their life which may not be true to life. Consequently, social media can be an environment for people to control what others think of them.
Social Validation and Online Pressure
Social Validation is another important part of having a digital identity. How others feel about themselves can be affected by likes, comments and followers. Some users might alter what they write online or how they act to be seen more or do what is trendy to fit in with others.
In his book, Life on the Screen (1995), Turkle examines the impact that digital environments have on the construction and expression of identity. Someone can discover new things and become involved with others on the internet. This can also lead to building relationships with people online based on their online persona.
Additionally, Marwick (2013) investigates how social media allows users to regulate their online presence via “visibility” and “attention. This implies that online identity is not only about self-expression but it’s also about how other people react.
The Influence of Algorithms
Algorithms also help to influence digital identity. Social media apps like TikTok and Instagram suggest content most relevant to users based on their past content viewing habits and interests. This can make content more personalised, and may also impact on people’s opinions and way of living.
For instance, individuals who watch fitness videos on a frequent basis might start noticing more fitness influencers and idealised body images. This may impact their perception of themselves over time. This demonstrates that technology can influence digital identity as can individual decisions.
Conclusion
In general, personal decisions, social norms and technology influence identity in a digital world. Social media can provide individuals with ways to communicate and share with others, but also serve as a source of comparison and unrealistic expectations. Goffman’s theory still applies as individuals continue to manage their presentation to suit their audience. In the end, the internet is just a small piece of a person’s identity and doesn’t necessarily reflect their actual life.
References
Goffman, E. (1956) The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh Social Sciences Research Centre.
Marwick, A.E. (2013) Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity, and Branding in the Social Media Age. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Turkle, S. (1995) Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet. New York: Simon & Schuster.
