Wk 11 – Social Media’s Influence on the ‘Self’

(Below is a reflective snippet from PB4 that Sasha, Zac and I are working on)

Identity is never set in concrete – it is very much so a social process. Therefore, it seems fitting that for this artwork, the various artists chose to explore the ways that social media diminishes or perhaps provokes ideas of self-identity. If you will, this ‘social-identity’ allows individuals to reflexively construct a personal narrative, thus giving them a certain power over their lives – albeit an online life.

The platform of social media allows one the opportunity to shape their image, enabling complete reconstructions of impressions… Or so is thought. Really, social media can be viewed as an extension of our ‘everyday-lives,’ a version of our existence where aspects are either exaggerated or hidden depending upon how we want others to perceive us. A recent study (Aboujaode, 2011) looking into the Theory of Digital Identity has proven just this. The participants of the study altered their identities on Facebook as to signify that they were ‘more’ than just the individuals in their respective occupations. Stay-at-home parents wanted it to be viewed as ‘successful’, Executives wanted to reveal their ‘cool’ side, Academics wanted to appear intellectual yet ‘laid-back and funny.’ This highlights the importance of self-monitoring and the evident embellishing of  existing personality traits.

Furthermore, the online world contains its own set of rules that users feel must be adhered to. In this sense, social expectations are just as important in the cyber world as they are in our physical space. For example, friends on Facebook who complain and brag constantly are unfriended quickly whilst the same beings in real life would be given more flexibility because one might have to physically see them often. The fact that Facebook also contains no ‘Dislike’ button provokes the notion that the space is meant to garner positivity, delineating that users may feel the need to impress or entertain others for approval.

In presenting ‘the self’ online, it can also be argued that audiences play a large role in the identities presented through social media platforms. Communication sites are all concerned with validation – validation from peers, co-workers and family members. This, of course, reiterates the previously stated idea that social media allows one to communicate who they want to be and not necessarily who they truthfully are.

All in all, control is what really creates a Digital Identity. Online symbols (such as text speak) and an implemented set of ‘rules’ help guide the user to how they behave and reveal themselves but this is just a fragment of an already established role. Rather than creating something false and disconnected, people merely project themselves on screen in a new light.