Identity Formation In Social Media

The formation of our ideal-self and ultimately our identity thus happens unconsciously as “Part of identity formation is thinking about the type of person you want to be” (Arnett, 2010, p. 340)., but also unconsciously as “outside forces are constantly pushing our identities in different directions without our knowledge.” (). We are continually influenced by external factors and everything around us. In this way social media thus mirrors back to us who we are and even more of who we want to become or be seen as. Even though we are constantly evaluating our narrative of self, we often do it unconsciously. Keeping in mind that we spend a few hours a day on social media it is easy to understand that these online personas and network of information

Social media then not only creates a platform where we can share our idealised self, but it also influences our ideas as to what that ideal self should be.

Social media and the internet can serve as a guide to help us better understand the type of person we want to be, by displaying ideas of how to act…(). “It is this media picture that portrays, and actually molds, our society's value system.” (). First of all we must realise that although we might feel bombarded by social media’s “constant flow of information” ()., identity formation through social comparison and categorisation is not new. Where in the past we would have been influenced by our immediate environment, such as influences from parents, peers, school and communities, with social media we are simply being exposed to a larger audience. And most importantly as —— explains “Social and cultural forces are an essential component in identity formation.” (). We need to be exposed to different social interactions in

Reality then is persuaded on social media not only through the messages of advertiser, but also the fact that users display their idealistic selves and thus display an alternate self that in most cases become a unrealistic representation. Information on social media then becomes unreliable because there is a constant persuasion of the truth. We only have access to a very curated version of other peoples identities, and so social media exposes us to a filtered truth. Also unlike former media outlets, like television and advertising social media takes the persuasion of reality to an even greater extent as “With social media, persuading the public and influencing opinions have become more achievable and, yet, more uncontrollable.” (). —— explains that because content on social media can be posted by virtually anyone there is no process of approval an thus there is no censorship. Although having everyone engaged in this decision-making process can be extremely beneficial, it also holds many dangers as not everyone realises the responsibility that comes with freedom. People often do not realise what influence they have on how social reality is constructed and perceived resulting in an constant persuasion of our social