Identity in digital era

Articles related to identity construction and self-esteem in social media platforms actually resolve some of my questions in former blogs.

At first, offline interpersonal relationship seems not to be alienated. The finding in ”Text-based communication influences self-esteem more than face-to-face or cellphone communication” is very interesting. Based on the survey and experiment, face-to-face stills take the major rules and is not replaced by online communication.(at least in initial communication between strangers) It is a response to the worries that people would be more indifferent to offline interaction.

In the second place, online communication enrolls people in a more relaxing environment. Reduced in-person social pressure encourages adults to disclose more in text-based communication online. Without constraints of appearance and physical elements, we are more relaxed to share more in-depth thoughts. For instance, it is easier to type out “I love you, my dear friend” on text base and use “kiss ” emoji online instead of expressing to friends in real life. Besides, online communication put more emphasis on the context of the message. It is more likely for people to know inner personality in this case.

Also, carefully constructed identity online also provides positive impacts. As the author states in the article”Identity construction on FB: Digital empowerment in anchored relationships”: Identity is not an individual characteristic, it is not an expression of sth innate in a person, it is rather a social product. In my viewpoint, the three types of identity shown on nonymous online environment: popularity, well-roundness, and thoughtfulness also lead people to go ahead to possible selves. Especially, most of Facebook users are in the age of shaping themselves, and this identity may be beneficial.

The role of emotion and the needs for dating and finding a relationship also plays an interesting role in online identity. People “show” themselves like a peacock flaunting its tail. Thus, they would aim to more potential audience. Also, in nonymous online environment, people may hide their sexual orientation since the anchored relationships may become new constraints in this environment.