Introduction: Social Media and Identities
Social Media and Identities intertwine in complex ways, shaping how individuals present themselves and connect with others in the digital landscape. Susan Cox rightly says that ‘the Internet really has been nothing short of culturally transformative’ (Cox). The case of social media, however, is even more distinctive in that these sites not only connect people but also provide them with opportunities to interact with each other. This mutual public interaction is now influencing how people perceive their identities. Whether on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, almost all networks offer individuals a chance to see themselves through others’ comments, likes, dislikes, and reactions. This collective social expression compels individuals to contemplate their image, whether positively or negatively, and construct their identity.
In this context, not only are these social networking sites potentially making teens egotistic and self-obsessed, but they may also contribute to heightened feelings of unhappiness and loneliness. This is despite evidence suggesting that identity construction depends on personal thinking and the utilization of social media.”
Use of Social Media and Identities
Indeed, social media usage has become a prevalent trend among teenagers. Regardless of the location, it is common to encounter a teenager engrossed with their smartphone, scrolling through images, briefly reading text, and expressing their feelings in kind. The constant preoccupation with their own profile and images of others prompts them to compare themselves, fostering an obsession with their personality and identity. Sarah Harris notes that this continual engagement with social media has led teens to develop “short attention spans” and a desire for “constant feedback on their lives” (Harris). Describing it as a form of “banality,” she refers to a study highlighting teens’ inclination toward “instant gratification” and the creation of a “mini-celebrity” status, akin to egotism or self-obsession (Harris). Rachel Simmons supports this perspective, stating that the feeling of being liked by others serves as confirmation of a “girl’s social status” (Simmons). This further emphasizes how teenagers construct their identities through social likes, dislikes, and comments, occasionally leading to negative self-perceptions.
Negativity, Social Media and Identities
The preoccupation with social media not only increases negativity about one’s body but also affects one’s emotional state. Maria Konnikova, writing for The New Yorker, supports this perspective by citing Ethan Kross of the University of Michigan, who argues that Facebook is intensifying feelings of loneliness and unhappiness among users. Another expert, Robert Kraut, similarly supports Kross’s view, noting a decline in happiness among people after joining social networking sites. Konnikova also refers to an analysis indicating that social media usage has detrimental effects on people’s emotional well-being, including the potential for negative feelings of jealousy and envy (Konnikova).
In Teen Vogue, Julie Pennell further supports this viewpoint, emphasizing that girls, in particular, may feel mentally and physically negative about themselves after comparing pictures uploaded by their friends (Pennell). This aligns with the perspective of Sarah Harris, who suggests that teenagers obsessed with social media define their identities based on how others perceive them (Harris). The impact, of course, depends on how others present their curated photos and comment positively. When such positive interactions do not occur, it can lead to feelings of loneliness, which can be destructive for a teenager’s identity.
Loneliness, Social Media and Identities
Loneliness has depressive effects, but according to Konnikova’s interpretation of the studies by Ethan Kross and Robert Kraut, it is the passive use of social media that specifically causes loneliness and depression, rather than the active use. In passive engagement with social media, people often experience “deleterious” impacts on their emotional health, exacerbating feelings of alienation. Konnikova suggests that the prevalence of passive experiences contributes to “feelings of disconnection and boredom” (Konnikova). This, in turn, can lead to negative identity formation or what Sarah Harris refers to as an “identity crisis” — a misconstruction of identity influenced by how others perceive and react to an individual (Harris). In essence, social media appears to have a negative impact on teens’ identity construction, but there are also arguments suggesting a reciprocal relationship.
Positivity, Social Media and Identities
Despite the detrimental impacts on identity construction, the use of social media is claimed to contribute to a positive self-image and an increased feeling of connectedness. Maria Konnikova cites Sebastian Valenzuela and others to argue that Facebook usage makes people happier than they were before. Quoting psychologist Matthew Lieberman, she asserts that this social participation is “reinforcing” for users and leads to a sense of connectedness with others, promoting positive identity construction (Konnikova). This suggests that social media is not solely responsible for negative identity construction.
Julie Pennell also supports this perspective, stating that social media usage itself does not cause negative body impressions. Instead, she suggests that it is the mental comparisons that girls make with the photos of their friends that contribute to these negative feelings (Pennell). In essence, social media networking sites are not entirely responsible for negative identity construction. However, they do play a partial role by influencing teenagers to focus on their smartphones, see themselves through the eyes of others, and construct their identities accordingly.
Conclusion: Social Media and Identities
In short, social media networking sites have both negative and positive impacts on identity construction. While teenagers may become impulsive and addictive users, leading to self-obsession and egotism about their identities, the situation exacerbates for some, particularly girls, who may develop a distorted self-perception based on the number of ‘likes’ received. This self-obsession can negatively affect their identity construction, especially if the perceived image does not align with reality. Additionally, social media usage has been associated with increased negative emotions, loneliness, boredom, and depressive moods.
Despite these drawbacks, there are also positive impacts on identity construction. When used judiciously and actively, social media can contribute to positive feelings and a sense of connectedness with others. Therefore, the relationship between social media and identity construction is nuanced, involving a mix of detrimental and beneficial effects that vary depending on how individuals engage with these platforms.
Works Cited: Social Media and Identities
- Cox, Susan. “Facebook had totally reinvented human identity: Why it’s even worse than you think.” Salon. 26 Oct. 2014. http://www.salon.com/2014/10/26/facebook_has_totally_reinvented_human_identity_why_its_e
ven_worse_than_you_think/. Accessed on 18 Jun. 2023. - Harris, Sarah. “Facebook and Twitter are Creating a vain generation of self-obsessed people with child-like need for feedback, warns top scientist.” Daily Mail. 30 Jul. 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020378/Facebook-Twitter-creating-vain-generation-self-obsessed-people.html. Accessed on 18 Jun. 2023.
- Konnikova, Maria. “How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy.” The New Yorker. 10 Sep. 2013. http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/how-facebook-makes-us-unhappy. 18 Jun. 2023.
- Pennell, Julie. “How Facebook Can Affect Your Body Image.” Teen Vogue. 22 Jul. 2015. http://www.teenvogue.com/story/facebook-effect-on-body-image. Accessed on 18 Jun. 2023.
- Simmons, Rachel. “The Secret Language of Girls on Instagram.” Time. 10 Nov. 2014. time.com/3559340/instagram-tween-girls/. Accessed on 18 Jun. 2023.
Relevant Questions about Social Media and Identities
- How does the pervasive influence of “Social Media and Identities” impact the construction and expression of personal identities in today’s interconnected society?
- In what ways do “Social Media and Identities” contribute to the formation of collective identities, and how does this phenomenon influence offline interactions and societal dynamics?
- What are the potential psychological effects of maintaining and curating one’s identity on “Social Media and Identities,” considering factors such as self-esteem, self-perception, and the impact on mental well-being?