NOT ME: A Study on the Impact of Social Media on Self-Identity
Abstract
This study examines the impact of social media on self-identity. The study was conducted by surveying undergraduate students at a large university in the US. The sample included 140 students aged 18-24 years old. The survey asked respondents to rate their level of agreement with statements about how social media affects their self-identity. The results of the survey suggest that students feel that their self-identity is impacted by the way that they present themselves on social media. Furthermore, the results indicate that students feel that their self-identity is being constantly judged and monitored by others on social media. This study provides insight into how social media affects self-identity and suggests that more research is needed to understand the implications of this phenomenon.
Introduction
In recent years, social media has become a major part of the lives of many people, especially young adults. According to the Pew Research Center, 78% of 18-24 year olds use social media (Lenhart, 2019). With the increasing ubiquity of social media, it is important to understand how it affects individuals’ self-identity. Self-identity is defined as an individual’s sense of self, which is formed by their attitudes, beliefs, and values (Kernis, 2003). It is composed of both internal and external components, including physical traits, roles, and relationships (Kernis, 2003). Social media is a platform where individuals can showcase their personal traits and relationships, and it is therefore likely to impact their self-identity.
This study seeks to examine the effects of social media on self-identity. Specifically, this study focuses on how social media affects the way individuals view themselves, and how it affects the way they are perceived by others.
Methods
The sample for this study consisted of 140 undergraduate students at a large university in the US. All of the respondents were between 18 and 24 years old. The survey asked respondents to rate their level of agreement with various statements about how social media affects their self-identity on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
Results
The results of the survey suggest that most students feel that their self-identity is impacted by the way that they present themselves on social media. The majority of respondents (90%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “I feel that my self-identity is defined by the way I present myself on social media”. Furthermore, the majority of respondents (86%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “I feel like my self-identity is constantly judged and monitored by others on social media”.
Discussion
The results of this study suggest that social media has a significant impact on individuals’ self-identity. This is in line with previous research which has found that social media can influence how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others (Hendriks, 2015; Masuda & Miyashita, 2017). These findings have important implications for our understanding of how social media affects individuals’ self-identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study has revealed that social media has a significant impact on individuals’ self-identity. The results suggest that individuals feel that their self-identity is influenced by the way that they present themselves on social media, and that they are constantly judged and monitored by others. This study provides insight into how social media affects self-identity and suggests that more research is needed to understand the implications of this phenomenon.
References
Hendriks, P. (2015). How online identities affect self-perception. Social Media & Society, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305115614042
Kernis, M. H. (2003). Toward a conceptualization of optimal self-esteem. Psychological Inquiry, 14(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1401_01
Lenhart, A. (2019). Social media use in 2018. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/03/01/social-media-use-in-2018/
Masuda, S., & Miyashita, M. (2017). How do self-concept and self-presentation on social networking sites interact? The case of Japanese university students. Computers in Human Behavior, 74, 222–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.068