Abstract:
This paper is to examine the generational differences in the formation of identity in online communities and networks. A focus on Erik Erikson’s theory of identity formation and Erving Goffman’s theory on the presentation of self is used to understand the emerging influences on identity formation. The generational differences are explored through looking at ideas of forming identities before we are born following through to digital footprints. The theme that online networks and communities can have both a positive and negative effect on identity is explored. The paper uses implications of new technology as a way to highlight the argument that identity formation has become more complex than it previously has been. In the article adolescents are referred to this can be assumed for the purpose of this paper children aged 10-19. Older generations for the purpose of this paper is referring to those who did not grow up in a fully digital world (30+).
Keywords: generation differences, online identity, identity formation, presentation of self, social networks, online communities
Identifying Generational Differences in the Formation of
Identity in Online Communities and Networks
The appearance of generational differences in the formation of identity online is becoming apparent because online spaces are more accessible from a young age. The rapid shift in modern technology and online spaces can be held accountable for this. Online communities and networks as a whole can be a positive experience opening minds and educating opinions. There is also a dark side to networks and communities where people can be bullied anonymously and unrealistic body images portrayed can have detrimental effects on young children/teenagers as they go through the important stages of identity formation. Where immediate surrounding were once the only aspect shaping our identities this is no longer the case in an online world. In relation to this, this paper will explore how forming our identities before we are even born and the exposure to online spaces from a younger age impacts on identity formation compared to older generations. Anonymity online and the rapid shift in new technologies will be used to outline the difference in generational experiences of forming identity. Our digital footprints follow us well past the point we leave our online identities, knowledge of digital footprints have strong impacts on ones presentation of self.
Defining Networks and Communities
A community in the general sense is a group of individuals who have a common center to participate in discussion and activities (Coyle, 1941). Communities can be large or small and take many forms such as forums, pages, groups, blogs and chatrooms on or offline. Similarly, to communities, a network (most commonly associated with social networks) can be defined as the linking of groups and individuals online (“What is a Network,” 2016). Networks and communities work together to create spaces for like-minded individuals. Within these spaces expression of individual identity is encouraged and almost always positively welcomed, however, some online spaces can lead to identity confusion.
Discussion
With the advancement of new online platforms for networks and communities the idea of online identities and presentation of self has become more complex. Our youth is an important time to discover ourselves as we begin to decide what we identify with. Our identity refers to ones core values, beliefs and background with many aspects of life having both positive and negative effects on this (Kasinath, 2013). During adolescence, and in the current climate of online culture, it can be difficult to distinguish right from wrong and how you define yourself. With so many outside influence, adolescents can easily be swayed in their opinions, causing them to conform to social pressures from a young age. This continuous pressure during the adolescent stage can lead to identity confusion (Kasinath, 2013). Kasinath (2013) states that when we are in infancy we form a sense of self but as we grow into adolescence we seek to answer the question of who we are. A psychological theory formed by Erik Erikson about the formation of identity follows eight stages of crisis to be resolved by the individual (Kasinath, 2013). It can be argued that older generations were able to overcome these stages more successfully as they were not strongly influenced by negative outside factors and the influence of social media. This is not to say that today’s adolescent generation is worse off than older generations, just that there are visible differences between how their identities are formed. People often use social media to document the highlights of their life, leaving a digital footprint in the process. Leaver and Highfield (2018) explore the way in which people share information about others who cannot speak for themselves and how this information creates a digital footprint. With the rise of technology platforms such as Instagram have rapidly gained popularity and visible networks and communities are visible on Instagram through followers, following and hashtags. It has become a rite of passage for many expecting mothers to post a photo of their ultrasound images to social media using distinctive hashtags where the image can appear in a collective space of similar images (Leaver & Highfield, 2018). Little do many parents know the information they are sharing about their child can hold some very specific and personal identifying factors and this is likely to follow them into the future staying with their online identity forever. Information such as this helps social networking sites who data mine to make predictions and assumptions about their future audiences before the user has even known themselves (Leaver & Highfield, 2018). This initiation of an identity before children are even born is something emerging in social culture now, with the first generation to grow up fully digital now entering adolescence the depiction can be made between generation identity gaps.
In the years 1994-1995 online networks and web-based communities, in the form of notice boards and forums, began to appear but were still foreign to most (Lake, 2009). During the early years on the web, when online networks and online communities began to form, individual presentation of the self online consisted of multiple avatars and identifying handles not directly linked to their offline presentation of self (Leaver & Highfield, 2018). However, this is very different to what we see today, Leaver and Highfield (2018) stating the shift towards presentation of an ‘authentic self’ as the realname web. This shift between generations can be explained by the ages technology is introduced to us when the older generations began using social networks and online communities they had already formed an identity offline and to have an online identity felt like it needed to be privatised and different to their offline presentation of self. Adolescents now have formed their online and offline identities simultaneously which has resulted in a more authentic and real presentation of self online. If we look more deeply into the theory of presentation of self by Erving Goffman, the idea is explored that we present different versions of ourselves in different situations (Kuznekoff, 2012). The appeal of multiple presentations of self is that you can use different presentations to seek benefits (Urick, 2014). The idea that our identity is a performance and our online identities are an extension of ourselves reflects in the way that social media and being a part of an online community has taken over the way we think. Often adolescence will think about their decisions not based on who they will see in person but who will see their online posts from the event. Older generations built relationships based on face-to-face communication where technology has pushed for a shift toward online communication. This means our online presentation of self feels more important than ever and can have some serious implications. As with any performance such as an actor or actress the audience has free will to interpret the meaning (Kuznekoff, 2012). Thus meaning that rather than just freely being yourself the thought is often playing on your mind of what others think of you, this constant pressure adolescents are facing can lead to anxiety, depression and body image issues. Cyberbullying is also a major impact that has been on the rise in more recent years as social media and online communities become a prevalent part of teenager’s lives. In a study by Van Der Nagel and Frith (2015) it was stated that anonymity is useful in allowing exploration of identity without fear of judgment, however, it does open the doors for cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is the act of sending online messages, comments, photos or posts in order to offend or hurt someone’s feelings (Kuznekoff, 2012). With constant access to the online space when bullying in the playground was once escapable it is now much harder to do so when it follows you home. This can largely impact on the way people form their identity as they see this as part of themselves when they can be much more that what the bully is reducing them to. However, online communities can provide a safe haven for like-minded individuals to escape from reality and thus help them further develop their identities in this sense. Anonymity has often been seen in a negative light due to bullying but it has been found to be an important feature in navigating identity exploration in an online world (Van Der Nagel & Frith, 2015). This suggests that one generational difference in forming identity is that it has become a more complex process of exploration and navigating the online space to form a strong identity compared to what may seem a straight forward path for generations who did not grow up online.
As discussed our online presentation of self is often an extension of our offline identity and in the era of realname web the link between online and offline is synonymous. This means anything online linked to your name creates a digital trace which stays with you forever, even after you pass (Leaver & Highfield, 2018). What makes up your digital footprint can be seen to make up part of your identity and lead people to make assumptions about you based on what a simple search of your name presents. It can be assumed a generation who has grown up digital will have a larger digital footprint than their elders and there are implications that this can have on present life and legacy. When anyone can link your name to an online identity through a simple google search, it is safe to assume potential employees have easy access to much of your online presentation of self. Depending on the circumstances this can be either a negative or a positive implication of a digital footprint. The pressure younger generations have to keep their digital footprint clean can often be a burden on identity formation as it hinders them expressing their true selves. In Bennett’s study (as cited in Kuznekoff, 2012) it was found that 90% of employers use social networking sites to determine potential employees and 70% had rejected a potential employee due to their social media. This leads to the idea of privacy being an issue for young children who don’t understand the concept of how data spreads and remains online forever (Kuznekoff, 2012). Young children enter private details into online networks and communities having no idea where this information might end up in the future, making them vulnerable to online attack (Gray & Christiansen, 2010). Similarly, to how data mining can use ultrasound images to predict future users, adolescents information can be data mined from networking sites and online communities allowing targeted advertising and suggested friends to be directed straight towards you (Kuznekoff, 2012). These suggested friends may be complete strangers and for a young child on social media this presents many threats. As we age identity can be in constant movement and having documentation of each small and embarrassing part of your identity is not often thought of until a reminder of your twelve-year-old self is brought back onto your Facebook timeline. As we change our identity it is not unusual to no longer identify with specific things and when these things are attatched to your name online it can be hard to escape these labels. Older generations are able to grow and move forward without this reminder of their past, while it is not to say this is positive or negative we can conclude that the experience of a digital footprint is vastly different between generations. Once we pass and our online presentation of self lives on creating a timeline from beginning to end of our online lives we no longer have control or say over what stays and goes, or maybe it is hard to say that we ever did have control.
Conclusions
This paper has explored the rapid shift in modern technologies that has allowed children to explore online communities and networks earlier than ever before. This has impacted on the way adolescents form their identities in an online world compared to older generations who were not exposed to online networks and communities until later in life. The road to forming identity has become seemingly longer and more complex with the addition of online networks and communities. This is not to say it is harder for younger generations to form their identities but the experiences between generations is vastly different. Outside influences, such as bullying, could once be escaped but the shift toward and online presence has made these influences more prevalent. However, there are negative influences on identity within networks and communities, there can also be strong positive influences in communities that help people find inspiration that guides identity development and open minds to new ideas. The role that this has on forming identity online can be seen in a physical presentation of self on and offline. Digital footprints are an important aspect in the appearance of generational differences. Younger generations are faced with their young identity following them through their lives even if they no longer identify with this presentation of self. This digital footprint has been proven to impact on individuals search for a job where potential employees make judgments based off this. Younger generations exploration of identity online can take many forms, most of which, are logged and will always be an accessible part of them. Our identities are no longer shaped by our immediate surroundings but by a variety of influences within these online networks and communities.
References
Coyle, D. C. (1941). What Is a Community? The American Journal of Nursing, 41(11), 1290-1290.
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Kasinath, H. M. (2013). Adolescence: Search for an identity. I-Manager’s Journal on Educational Psychology, 7(1), 1-6. Retrieved from https://search-proquest- com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/1476284556?accountid=10382
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Van Der Nagel, E., & Frith, J. (2015). Anonymity, pseudonymity, and the agency of online identity: Examining the social practices of r/Gonewild. First Monday, 20(3), Retrieved from http://www.ojphi.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/5615/4346
PDF download: Hannah Bluett NETS2002 Conference Paper
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Hi Hannah, I found your paper very interesting to read, you raised some very valid points and definitely gave me something to think about and how I could incorporate your ideologies into my own conference paper.
I like how your paper explored both the positive and negative effects that online networks and communities can have on one’s identity. It was a slightly different perspective that I personally took towards my paper, so it was interesting to see what points and ideas you raised regarding this.
Furthermore, your focus on the generational differences of users is really interesting, as in the abstract you made a point of separating the two age groups (children 10-19 and 30+). This is a good way of analysis the effects of technology as both age groups would respond differently to the recent advancements in technology and online communities. I really enjoyed this quote regarding how “forming our identities before we are even born and the exposure to online spaces from a younger age impacts on identity formation compared to older generations.” Again, you are comparing the generational differences between the two age groups which I think is the best approach to take when tackling this topic. This is definitely something I would have considered writing in my paper, so good job.
When you highlighted that some online spaces can lead to identity confusion, I found that interesting because I don’t personally touch upon that point within my paper, I almost take the opposite approach and express how easy it is to form an online identity through the accessibility that social networking sites provide for users. It’s definitely a point worth mentioning, especially with the younger users trying to establish an online presence, it can definitely be confusing for them. Later on in your paper you mentioned how the older generations are less likely to be influenced negatively by social media and outside factors when they constructed their identities as they weren’t consumed by these factors when they grew up. Again, I find this point very valid and something I didn’t immediately consider when approaching this paper, so well done again.
You have raised yet another interesting point further down in your paper regarding the privatisation of online identity between the older and younger generations. Here you mention that because the older generation have already form their identities prior to the birth of social media, when they do construct an online identity, they feel the need to privatised and different to their offline presentation of self. I can’t say I completely agree with this point, as I don’t think there is a link between the older generation being more reversed online than that of their younger counterparts. I think it comes to down to personal preference on what you wish to share online. I do agree that adolescence constructing their online identities definitely form both their online and offline selves almost simultaneously, which could lead to a more authentic presentation of self. I’m still not entirely convinced with the older generation not being able to do the same however.
I found your points regarding cyberbullying and the option of anonymity very valid, as it is a concept I touch upon within my own conference paper, even using the same reference of Van Der Angel and Frith. I definitely think the option to be anonymous has more pros than cons, as “outsiders” can gain a sense of belonging in an online community without the fear of judgement and online harassment.
Overall, I enjoyed reading your paper and believed it explored key concepts and ideas concerning the implications of technologies and online communities for both young and old generation, and how they go about constructing their online identities. Majority of your points were very valid and gave me something to consider and think about in regards to my own conference paper. However, I do believe your own construction of identity is completely dependable on your own thoughts, feeling, attitudes, and behaviours and it isn’t directly linked to what generation you may be part of.
Good job!
Hi Elli thank you for your comment i’m glad you enjoyed my paper!
I thought it was important to look at both the positives and negatives in my paper as nothing is ever as simple as one side! You said how you often took the opposite approach in your own paper which I found interesting because it shows how big and diverse the concept can be and no one way can answer all the questions!
I understand where you are coming from when you say you didn’t agree with my point on older generations privatising their information and there being no link between this and their younger counterparts. However, I agree with you that it all comes down to personal preference what one posts, I do still believe that these personal preference are shaped by the generation you grew up in.
Along with saying this, I agree that older generations have the ability to reshape their identities as we all do but for the purpose of my paper I discussed identity formation in it’s more crucial and influential stages of adolescence.
I will deffinatly be sure to check out your paper 🙂
Hey Hannah,
Thank you so much for responding to my paper so well, I appreciate that.
It is important to note that yes, the internet can provide multiple ways a user can construct their online identity but also it can lead to young people feeling a great sense of confusion and feeling overwhelmed with how many different approaches they can take and which avenue to go down. I liked how both our papers have touched upon both ends of the spectrum and like you said, it definitely shows how big and diverse the concept of online identity can truly be.
Yes your personal preferences regarding what you wish to showcase online is shaped by the generation you are brought up in, but that still doesn’t allow you (or anyone) to generalise and say “all young people share everything online” or “old people don’t post anything personal” because that would be incredibly ignorant. I do see your point though, and it definitely is a valid one. Perhaps I am coming from a slightly bias viewpoint, as all my “older” family members seem to be very active and personal on their social media accounts, so it’s a passionate issue for me to delve into haha.
I do wholeheartedly agree that identity formation is at its most crucial stage at the point of adolescent and young adulthood so you’ve done well there.
Look forward to hearing your response, thanks Hannah!
Hey Elli 🙂
Identity confusion is certainly a scary concept in this day an age! I agree the vast amount of pathways one can take to explore their identity may seem daunting.
I understand your viewpoint with the ‘older’ members of your family being very active and personal on social media which is a different experience from my own. And it goes both ways with younger individuals who sometimes post less than their older counterparts (me included). I don’t think theres a conclusive answer to explain the way we post, as you said it would be very ignorant to assume one stand point and generalise, but it is an interesting concept to consider!
Im curious with the ‘older’ members of your family who post regularly, is there a correlation perhaps to having a lower number of friends, on say Facebook than yourself or others in the ‘younger generations’? From my personal experience I have seen that friends my age (myself included) have a higher number of friends (many of who I don’t even speak to) on social media than the older generations in my family.
Thanks again!
Hey Hannah,
While my original point regarding old people being very active and personal across social media is valid, I do understand that not everyone’s families are like that and as you’ve just pointed out, yours do not interact online that way which is totally fine. It’s a personal preference I believe, to go online and interact with others. I too try and limit the amount of information I post, whether that be photos or status’, and I think a lot fo young people are feeling the same too. It is almost as if we’ve drained our minds of social media and all the implications it can have on us, that a lot of young people are making conscious efforts to just stay offline or keep their activities to a minimum, myself included for sure.
Oh yes that is 100% true. I have a lot of friends on Facebook, which majority of them I don’t speak to. I think a lot of older people wouldn’t be as foolish to accept a friend request from someone they don’t know, whereas I remembered a time where it was cool to see who had more Facebook friends, and it was almost a competition to see who had more. Looking back, it is a ridiculous idea because these ‘friends’ have the potential to talk to me and view my life through Facebook without me really wanting them to. There are so many different generational behaviours that occur online that once you stop and think about, can be all consuming. It’s definitely an area of discussion which can be talked about forever.
Hi Hannah,
I liked the comparison you made between the younger and older generations and how they use plaforms such as Facebook. Do you think a simple explanation as to why online behaviour is different between younger and older generations is because one group is trying to build their connections and the other group is just looking to maintain existing connections? In other words, the older generation has already done the hard yards at building connections, now they just seek to maintain them. Your comments on digital footprints was also of interest to me. In my paper I tried to explain how people could form close connections with others from the ability to determine one’s character. I argued that even though fragments of one’s self appeared on multiple platforms, that the combination of all those fragments allowed people to determine another person’s character, therefore building strong connections. Do you think it is the case that everyone has had a time in their early life when they have struggled with their own identity, but thanks to social media it is just more pronounced for those of us still trying to find belonging? Has social media allowed us to care too much about what people think? When it comes to digital footprints, is the problem that all these platforms are connected and therefore much easier to expose one’s complete identity? i.e. employers being able to easily conduct a background check on you.
One thing I forgot to mention how your comments around data mining and targeting advertising. It reminded me of when I studied marketing as I think a relationship can be drawn between the two. We were taught about the life cycle of a person. How marketers could use the research data they collect to know what products to sell you depending on your age. I think it has just got a whole lot easier to target an individual.
Thanks for your comments Julian!
I like the simple explanation you have come up with about creating vs maintaining relationships and I think this is definitely an aspect that influences how we post! Your paper sounds interesting I agree I think the sum of all presentations of self online allow people to make a relatively sound judgment on someones character, ill have to give your paper a read and learn more about this.
To answer your question, yes, I do think everyone (in various capacities) at some stage in their search for identity has questioned and struggled with this. The influence of social media has definitely held a magnifying glass up to our search for identity and whether this had a positive or negative affect on ones quest for belonging is different for everyone. In terms of social media allowing us to care to much about what people think, Some may struggle more than others to find a balance between posting for others and posting for themselves which can impact this. My digital footprint has thus far not been a problem for me personally and hopefully it never is! In some ways digital footprints are incredibly helpful, as you said the ability to conduct a background check for a potential employee could uncover vital information that can protect the company. But on the other hand could arise serious complications for those searching for jobs but not having a clean digital footprint may count them out whether it be a fair judgment or not.
I have done one marketing unit myself and recall learning a similar concept, Theres definitely a relationship here! Its scary to think how easy it is now to hand our data over without even knowing !
Thanks again 🙂