ALC201 - Online identity

ALC201 - Online Identity

Social mediums act as platforms of self-expression, self-reflection and identity construction. The nature of social media requires users to consciously, visibly and deliberately perform their identity, whatever they imagine that to be (Gabriel, F, 2014, p104). As argued by Gilpin (2010, p233), “identity construction” can be seen as a “sense-making process by which people selectively organize their experiences into a coherent sense of self” (Kimmons, R, 2014, p94). In my own experience of witnessing online behaviour, this ‘coherent sense of self’ is reflective not of a person’s realisation of their own identity, but by the identity they desire to possess.  

Social media has inevitably lent users the power to transform, project and alter their identity. Generally, people choose to promote the most exciting, adventurous and admirable things they have done on social media to maintain a certain image of themselves. Everyone is guilty of sensationalising their profile to proliferate the highlights of their life. I know myself am a culprit. My online life consists of albums of photos from recent holidays, from parties and formal events, from my impulsive decisions to go ice skating or sky diving. These photos may imply my personality is spontaneous (when in reality, I plan my day’s to the minute), adventurous (which is exactly me!…unless it’s cold, or too hot. Or there’s something better on TV), professional (Can someone please just pass the vodka?!), and sociable (who wants to talk to people when you can spend time with your dog?). This construction of my online identity is a compilation of photos, of check in’s at fancy café’s, and status’ claiming how good it feels to be standing on the Eiffel Tower. Posting photos of highlights in my life implies a certain lifestyle, and personality others may assume I have. What lacks in my online identity is what I spend most my life doing…work, studying, and sending snap chats of my dog.  

The difference between online and offline identity

While I use my profile as a fun way to annoy people with photos, brag about my sandwiches, and tag friends in videos of people falling off things, my boyfriend uses his for very different purposes. Matt is a personal trainer, and in order to maintain his reputation and credibility, he avoids posting of himself eating junk food, or drinking alcohol. Many of his posts are work related, promoting the weight lifting classes he runs, and the successes of his clients. Matt’s online presentation is motivated by his profession, and surely heightens his passion for fitness and health. When, in reality, he can inhale a Parma and pot in the time it takes me to pick up my fork. But his clients don’t need to know that…

As I have described with two personal examples, people use social media for a number of different reasons and in a number of varying ways. What is concerning is that the rise of reliance and time spent on social media, users are becoming more exposed to images of celebrities, of their peers and of advertising that has led to a more sexualised culture. Young people are growing up in an increasingly sexualised world driven by technology (Walker, S, Sanci, L, Temple-Smith, M, 2013, p8). They are turning to social media to represent their own coming of age processes, and are negotiating and developing their identities through these platforms (Gabriel, F, 2014, p106). I notice this witnessing the online behaviour of younger cousins and family, who dress years beyond their age. Wasn’t I in matching tracksuits at 12?

Consider the use of Instagram to explore this theory. Admittedly, I follow a lot of my favourite actors and singers on Instagram, like most users out there. Whilst it seems like a little harmless insight into the life of a well-known celebrity, there seems to be obvious consequences for following these high-profile stars, particularly in the modern pop industries. For example, it’s been very hard for me to cope with the fact that I will never have Beyoncé’s wardrobe, or her booty. Humans tend to judge, compare, and wallow in our own self-pity by the fact that we’re not a size 6, because every single celebrity we follow on Instagram is. It’s dangerous, and is leading to more and more pressure for people to fit into a narrow band of beauty (Gabriel, F, 2014, p105).

Furthermore, the age by which people are becoming involved in virtual worlds is becoming younger and younger. Social media engagement is particularly harmful to young people in the process of self-development and can create a completely different context for an individual to grow and mature (Gabriel, F, 2014, p106). Research by Laurence Steinberg (2008) has revealed that during adolescence, the brain’s ‘socio-emotional’ systems mature faster than the ‘cognitive-control’ systems. This imbalance means that teens make decisions and process information in a way that is more likely to emphasise emotional or social reward over potential risk (Gabriel, F, 2014, p105). Impressionable minds are vulnerable to sexualised images of their ‘role models’, and therefore may feel pressure to fulfil some sort of performative gender stereotype. Women, in particular, are predominantly portrayed as sexual beings in the media, in advertisements, in music and in movies. Therefore, a young woman’s motivation to adhere to these standards may post sexualised images of themselves on social media, not considering the consequences if a potential employer, or worse, their DAD, came across them online.

Indeed, digital culture is becoming increasingly pervasive and embedded in young people’s everyday experiences (Weber, Dixon, 2010) (Walker, S, Sanci, L, Temple-Smith, M, 2013, p8). It is controlling much of how they see themselves, and the world around them. There is a blurring distinction between ones online and offline identity, and can be detrimental to ones sense of self, and self-esteem. People’s online identity is their own to create, however, when motivation is based on reputation, belonging, and attention, rather than expression, I’d suggest a reconstruction. Thanks for reading. I’d stay and chat but I must be off to my equestrian race now.

Bibliography

Walker, S, Sanci, L, Temple-Smith, M, 2013, Sexting and young people: Experts’ views. Youth Studies Australia, 30, no4, retrieved August 1^st 2014, http://journals.sfu.ca/ysa/index.php/YSA/article/viewFile/129/145

Thomas, A, 2008, Youth Online: Identity And Literacy in The Digital Age, Peter Lang Publishing, EBSCOhost, New York

Kimmons, R, 2014, ‘Social Networking Sites, Literacy and the Authentic Identity Problem’, Techtrends: Linking Research & Practise To Improve Learning, 58, 2, pp. 93-98, Education Source, EBSCOhost, viewed 28 July 2014

Gabriel, F, 2014, ‘Sexting, selfies and self-harm: young people, social media and the performance of self-development’, Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy, 151, p104, Literature Resource Center, EBSCOhost, retrieved 30 July 2014