Communities and Web 2.0 · Identity in Communities and Networks · Social Networks

Social media influencers defining construction of identity

ABSTRACT

This paper is aimed at analysing the effects of social media influencers on  social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn on character-building online and/or the construction of one’s identity, with emphasis laid upon the projection of the self of teenagers, with more focus on the female gender. Furthermore, this paper will also elaborate on the nuances in social networks users’ online portrayal vis-à-vis their authentic real-life identities, the spotlight been on young females. 

Introduction

With the advent of Web 2.0 and a social networks-based influenced society, the curated introduction of a people’s personality. With social network platforms, for example, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn making ready, people have the freshly discovered chance to impart their lives to open online, in manners not already conceivable. This uprise of the Web 2.0 has took into consideration the up ascent of web based life influencers, and puts to light the debate between the virtual online lifestyle and real life. Curated characters could conceivably be destructive to naive social network users, especially those of a youthful age. In any case, for what reason should web based life influencers be relied upon to demonstrate certain sides of themselves all alone close to home records, and for what reason should general registered social networks’ users have any assumptions regarding what they share, allowed that it is politically right. This additionally stems off into the ascent of supported posts, and the impact that they can have on viewers and people who interact with them. The idea of curated personalities is likewise present inside a dialog in regards to internet dating and catfishing, just as including a significant job inside the word related domain. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Linkedin enable clients to minister a hopeful picture of their life, learning of this upsets the trust among client and web-based social networking influencer.

Social networks and character-building

The mechanical foundation on which our overall population is presently manufactured has obviously prompted a move in the manner online cooperation is performed, allowing new habits by which we pass on what needs be and keep up social associations. In the online circle, self-depiction is generally brought out through web based life stages, which have isolated both physical goals and common expressive motions that exist in eye to eye association, empowering customers to interface across over presence through a curated type of ‘oneself’. As indicated by Janusz Mierzwa and Hubert Jurjewicz (2016, p.143), a few discoveries has assessed the capability of the connection between internet based life and personality. In a similar vein, those necessities that were customarily created in the real-life world is currently based on creation of long range informal communication destinations as the online world. For instance, it was found that that the huge reasons that induce users to utilize internet based life platforms are that they have the likelihood to seek to their requirements for their identity development and in light of the fact that they get the chance to encounter the best it could be in those stages. (Wilson, et al, 2010). The various requirements for a person’s personality development are not interesting and independent, yet it is named a chain of command of fundamental needs; the mental needs, security needs, acquainted necessities, requirements for confidence and requirements for self-acknowledgment. These factors as a whole define the identity of the individual both online and offline, irrespectively.

Authenticity a facade on social networks? 

With every one of the issues connected to advanced personalities and the discontinuity of the genuine self on the web, realness has been at a high hazard. Surely, realness is being controlled by clients to depict another personality. Legitimacy can be seen from alternate points of view as it relies upon the specific situation and the conditions. It very well may be what is veritable and not an impersonation or what has been approved with a genuine stamp that guarantees its authenticity (Van Leeuwen, 2001). In this specific situation, credibility is about the truth behind a person or thing and the significantly felt emotions or words that are being communicated (Van Leeuwen, 2001). Realness is socially developed as it very well may be affected by standards or disconnected and online desires (Salisbury and Pooley, 2017). Subsequently, it is inescapable that online networking will affect on individuals’ credibility as it is engraved in their day by day lives. Internet based life is executing legitimacy of clients which ponders their advanced way of life just as affecting on their disconnected selves. This has to do with individual marking and performativity. Having a record via web-based networking media these days resumes to selling and/or merchandising one’s life as a brand. Right off the bat, online life stages are not free for any reasons. They are utilizing individuals’ data to further their own potential benefit. Also, the users are so inundated into the winding of anticipating themselves and having a pleasant style online that they begin to create content that mirror their own image when joined through and through (Stoller, 2013). They play out their image which floats them far from their valid selves. In any case, on the other hand, for what reason is each post on Facebook course of events or Instagram channels comparable? For what reason are clients keen on the measure of preferences and offers, more than conveying or working together online which was the substance of internet based life long time back. The role of the Internet in this participatory culture has long been surpassed, as it is now a medium through which the self an image of the self is been projected.

Social networks vs. Teenagers

As teenagers look for a feeling of self and individual personality, a ton of motivation will originate from the surge of data that sources from any type of media before them, especially online networking. Given that a component of character development is “considering the sort of individual you need to be” (Arnett, 2010, p.340), there is a great deal to consider when a specific account of what somebody ought to resemble, and what they ought to do, and at what age they ought to do that is unequivocally authorized. This can make pressures rise when thoughts regarding what is viewed as proper and unseemly to share via web-based networking media strife (Mascheroni, et al; 2015). As online networking utilization as a general rule rewards people for transferring and sharing just constructive pictures through their adherents’ preferences and remarks, this makes a tricky cycle of just constructive self-discernment. Particularly thinking about that photographs are seen in all respects rapidly and with constrained exertion, if the standard is for some random watcher to allocate just a small amount of their ability to focus to a photograph, that portion is bound to increment if the photographs are appealing. This in this way urges a person to produce solely constructive substance, in the expectations that it will hold the consideration of their crowd for more. 

Internet based life influencers are simple for adolescents to get put resources into, as they are like their groups of onlookers, and subsequently all the more engaging. Recognizable proof is simple when there is a shape there to impersonate and build ‘fictional’ or ‘improved’ identity, shadowing out any ‘flaws’.

Genuineness is socially built as it very well may be affected by standards or disconnected and online desires (Salisbury and Pooley, 2017). Thus, it is unavoidable that online networking will affect on individuals’ realness as it is engraved in their every day lives. Internet based life is slaughtering validness of clients which ponders their advanced way of life just as affecting on their disconnected selves. This has to do with individual marking and performativity. Having a record via web-based networking media these days resumes to ‘selling’ one’s life as a brand. Right off the bat, internet based life stages are not free for any reasons. They are utilizing individuals’ data to further their own potential benefit. 

Furthermore, clients are so inundated into the winding of anticipating themselves and having a pleasant feel online that they begin to create content that mirror their own image when consolidated through and through (Stoller, 2013). They play out their image which floats them far from their valid selves. In any case, on the other hand, for what reason is each post on Facebook course of events or Instagram channels comparable? For what reason are clients inspired by the measure of preferences and offers, more than conveying or teaming up online which was the quintessence of internet based life long time back.

Construction of identity vis-à-vis the female gender

Participatory culture, patterns and normativity of practices have a solid effect amid the development of personality. As of late, another half and half of big name has sprung up which is alluded to as an ‘Instagram Star or influencer’. They picked up acclaim and have a major after on Instagram and are liberally paid for consistently posting. A greater part of them are ladies and have their greatest after base inside the female sex who appreciate them and endeavor to imitate their posts and pictures.

Ladies who don’t fit in the exacting attributes of the ‘flawless ladies’ are regularly exposed to trolls who menace them. Trolling is a sort of character extortion, but one that is done with the different plays consenting to it (Donath, 1999). Correspondingly, via web-based networking media, trolls are people with phony profile who leave undesirable remarks under the photos of different clients. Disappointment with one’s body more often than not emerges from contrasting and different clients. 

The social correlation hypothesis to clarify how people have an inborn inclination to gauge themselves with others so as to assess their very own abilities and notions. Body issues additionally involve an effect on character whereby an individual either extends an increasingly defenseless picture looking for steady approval via web-based networking media or they embrace a coldhearted and unflinching job.

Conclusion

In the organized universe of a juvenile, at times internet based life influencers can add to conceivably destructive results like negative emotions and getting a handle on left, and in different cases, can add to progressively positive results such as self-articulation. Social media users are also not keen on giving great substance yet rather misleading content that will bring them more devotees. Eventually, character and validness are exteriors via web-based networking media locales which will spread except if users choose to take control of their online traffic and doings. 

That is the pith of what I have been attempting to state in this paper, and it comes down to the essential thought that the socially diffuse thought of  ‘narcissism’ exists so as to keep certain pathologies under control – it is a socially developed protect against an excess of aggressive conduct. Be that as it may, in the event that we station ourselves through interchanges innovation in manners which accentuate our liberal propensities, at that point open doors for self-revelation are really restricted instead of opened up.

Furthermore, there is a foggy limit between the virtual world and physical world, the equivalent can’t be expressed for on the web and disconnected personality. Personality online is too much developed because of worldwide impacts and patterns; to now and again even be inconvenient to the long periods of advancement originally begun by the suffragettes. Far more terrible, online networking applies mental weight upon young ladies so as to fit unlikely models in order to be socially acknowledged which at that point prompts profound frailties and self-perception issues influencing their self-esteem. The requirement for approval and satisfaction and the hyper sexualisation of females have supplanted significant connections and association.

“In selecting how to present themselves online through photos, pre-teens and teenagers are actually engaging in the definition of what is socially acceptable, what gender and sexual identities are considered appropriate and legitimated, and what, by contrast, are less desirable, contested and stigmatised” (Mascheroni, et al; 2015).

References :

Arnett, J. J. (2010).  Adolescence and emerging adulthood:  A cultural approach. (4th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Pearson-Prentice Hall.

Boyd, D. (2007). Why Youth (Heart) Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life. In D. Buckingham (Ed.), MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital Learning Youth, Identity, and Digital Media Volume. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Donath, J. (1999). Identity and Deception in the Virtual Community. In P. Kollock, & M. A. Smith (Eds.), Communities in Cyberspace (pp. 29-59). New York: Routledge.

http://smg.media.mit.edu/people/Judith/Identity/IdentityDeception.html

Mascheroni, G., Vincent, J., & Jimenez, E. (2015). “Girls are addicted to likes so they post semi-naked selfies”: Peer mediation, normativity and the construction of identity online. Cyberpsychology: Journal Of Psychosocial Research On Cyberspace9(1). doi: 10.5817/cp2015-1-5

Mierzwa, J., & Jurjewicz, H. (2016). Does Facebook, Twitter, Instagram influence well-being and self-esteem among early adolescents. Studia Socialia Cracovensia, 1(14), 137-152. http://dx.doi.org/10.15633/ssc.1880

Papacharissi, Z. (2009). The virtual geographies of social networks: a comparative analysis of Facebook, LinkedIn and ASmallWorld. New Media & Society11(1-2), 199-220. doi: 10.1177/1461444808099577

Salisbury, M., & Pooley, J. (2017). The #nofilter Self: The Contest for Authenticity among Social Networking Sites, 2002–2016. Social Sciences6(1), 10. doi: 10.3390/socsci6010010

Stoller, E. (2013). Our Shared Future: Social Media, Leadership, Vulnerability, and Digital Identity. Journal Of College And Character14(1), 5-10. doi: 10.1515/jcc-2013-0002

Van Leeuwen, T. (2001). What is Authenticity? Discourse Studies3(4), 392-397. doi: 10.1177/1461445601003004003

20 thoughts on “Social media influencers defining construction of identity

  1. Hey there KShreedem,

    I loved your take on the impact that influencers bring to the formation of identity. Most papers I have read about this subject tend to completely ignore either the positive or the negative outcomes, but you do an awesome job of summarising both. I think this balanced approach you have to your argument indicates an in-depth analysis of the subject, so thanks for the insight into this topic.

    You particularly look into the effect this had had on females, – “Far more terrible, online networking applies mental weight upon young ladies so as to fit unlikely models in order to be socially acknowledged which at that point prompts profound frailties and self-perception issues influencing their self-esteem. The requirement for approval and satisfaction and the hyper sexualization of females have supplanted significant connections and association.”

    Do you think this also applies to males in some shape or form or is specifically the female gender? Or perhaps it is in the ‘real world’ where males feel this pressure?
    Interested to hear your thoughts.

    Alice

    My paper if you wish to check it out – https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/05/web-2-0-effect-on-societys-engagement-with-activism/#comments

    1. Hey there Alice,

      Thank you for the feedback. And replying to your question, yes, this does also apply to the male gender as the idea of the ‘perfect’ body (athletic, six packs, long, etc.) and/or the perfect ‘male character’ (manliness, courage, agression, etc.) is depicted on online platforms and users these days tend to make these ideologies their standard, as so everyone’s doing it.

      This pressure is felt both online and in real life by both genders in their respective ways, well that’s my observation.

      Positive vibes,
      Keshav

  2. Hi there!

    I really enjoyed reading your conference paper, you chose and interesting and relatable topic. I thought the part where you defined trolls particularly interesting. You stated that trolls were people with “phony” profiles, but what about people who say mean or harmful comments from their personal profiles? I’ve seen a few celebrities talk about how they’ve had people write hyperbolic negative comments on their profiles, to only go on to their profiles and see they are regular people with families and friends. Are they still classified as trolls or is this a different sort of behaviour?

    Enjoy the rest of the conference!

    Alison

    1. Hi Alison,

      Thanks much for your comment, these people can be ‘qualified’ as ‘trolls’ but also this can be considered as behoviour related to negative emotions felt by the users who wrote those hyperbolic negative comments. They may have another agenda.

      Regards,
      Keshav

  3. Hi KShreedam,
    well, i enjoyed reading your conference paper which is quite interesting and enriching i would saying!!
    what i would certainly like to know why you have laid more emphasis and targeted ofemale gender in specific and why not about male gender influencer?

    Do check out my paper!!
    https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/06/social-media-influencers-post-semi-naked-selfies-to-get-more-likes-introducing-the-practice-of-micro-celebrity-trend/

    1. Hello there DRamen,

      Thanks for the read, I focused on the female gender as, in my opinion, the ‘pressure’ is much more on them, in my opinion. What’s your take on this one? Do you think it is equal to that felt by the male gender?

      I’ll do.

      Regards,
      Keshav

  4. Hi KShreedam,

    I found your conference paper incredibly relevant within the current society where people engage a significant amount on social media platforms. In the section ‘Authenticity a facade on social networks?’, I feel that most people on Instagram form two accounts; one for personal or ‘private’ use and another for general use with the inclusion of family members etc. Do you feel that sometimes these two personalities bleed into each other as the individual can no longer grasp the difference amongst the two personalities they have created online?

    Looking forward to your response

    Muhammad

    1. Hi Muhammad,

      Thank you for your comment, I also noticed the fact that many Instagram users have two or more profiles for different usage purposes.

      I can happen, but I think that most of the time these two personalities remain distinct as you mentioned, one is for private use – the user would generally express personal things on this profile on a private sphere – and the other one might be, for example, an influencer profile.

      Regards,
      Keshav

  5. Hi Keshav,

    This is a nice topic and I agree that being an influence helps to create and identity. The fact that many persons are being paid for that encourages more people to be an influencer nowadays. Even I wanted to be an influencer but not for any clothing brand but food, more like a culinary influencers and believe me it is very well paid! the more influencers we have on our island, the more campaign we can do for a good cause or raise awareness.

    Nice work.
    Manishta

    1. Hello there Manishta,

      Indeed this would be useful tools in marketing products and services across our island and with nearly unlimited target audiences.

      Thank you for you time,
      Keshav

  6. Hey there I really loved this conference paper! I think I resonate with it on a weird level because I do feel like the way we show ourself online feels like a highlight reel. I would post something from a vacation a week ago and I’ll be living my best life but really I’m already in my uni class so parts of it feel somwhat performative. Do you think that this pendulum will evtually swing and people will be more open about social media? I’m seeing a lot of unfiltered profiles now from big Instagram people where they show us a more realistic perspective of their life.. taking a selfie with a pimple for example or showing us that they’ve been depressed lately makes us feel that we’re not alone and are all in this together. Do you think this trend will continue?

    1. Hi there,

      There might be an online awakening going on on social media as you say the pendulum is swinging and the fact that there is a phenomenon of unfiltered profiles online. And yes, I think and hope that this trend will continue as this will blur the lines between online self-portrayal and the real-life self.

      Thank you for commenting,
      Keshav

  7. Hi KShreedam,

    As a gaming stream contributor, I must say your paper has been rather impressive and I am intrigued about your analysis in this rather taboo (in my opinion) subject in society. In a sense that it is rather prevalent and very real, yet there hasn’t been any real solution or rather, industries and influencers are not doing much about it mainly because of commercialisation. I think you have identified the contemporary issue that “curated characters could conceivably be destructive to naive social network users, especially those of youthful”, I think it is incredibly important to understand that influencers target adolescents for two reasons. One, they are the future source of the market, in a sense when they enter fully developed into adulthood, their wallet will also head towards that direction if they had good knowledge of that influencer (for example) since young. Secondly and more importantly, within similar relations, people of older generations may also be more educated or rather, more sceptical/careful about absorbing social media usage therefore being less susceptible. I also think you included a really important quote when you mentioned Instagram and LinkedIn enabling client to minister a “hopeful picture of their life”, that possibly because our youths are confined to this space and ideology of a certain look, they’re trapped in an endless cycle of what is “ideal”. This idea of “ideal” is also closely linked to your highlight of good fundamental needs which includes: confidence and requirements for self-acknowledgments.

    The one thing I would suggest though, because you mentioned about creating a certain identity or look, do you think Goffman’s impression management’s theories of front and back stage is appropriate for this argument?

    Now, I have a couple of questions for you!

    – Do you think an individuals’s social presence is consistent throughout? For e.g. an Instagram page can be their “perfect” self, where as their Facebook (which could be well and truly hidden), be a space for them to rant, posting pictures of their true self?

    – It was interesting to learn that for females it’s either they’re sexy or they get trolled, do you think it’s the same for men? Or are men able to accept these trolls better e.g. “oh yeah it’s my beer belly, too many beers with the boys!”

    Thanks for your time!

    Chris.

    1. Hello there Christopher,

      Nothing much is been done due to commercialisation as you said, in the world of today, money talks.

      Social media absorption has a further each among teenager than the older users. The ideals follow ‘perfection’ criteria and users tend to scrutinize analyse their online presence through these. Goffman’s impressions management theories on online presence and real-life identity do apply here.

      Answering to you first question : consistency of portrayed self on different online platforms may vary as per the audiences the users target on these respective social networks and I think it may be consistent for the general users, different portrayals may occurs on influencers’ profiles as they need to portray specific personalities or physiques for products and services to be sold.

      And to the second : It depends on various factors such as confidence and character. If the user is a strong character (for both genders), it would be easier for the latter to deal with it.

      Regards,
      Keshav

  8. Hi KShreedam,
    Your conference paper is truly interesting as it is disparate to other paper that I have read concerning Communities and Networks. You provided a balance of both the positive and negative aspect of how social media influencers settle the construction of identity among teenagers

    However, what I would love to know is that why have you stress on focusing only on the female gender. Don’t you think that even male is concern with this issue? For instance on Tinder, the popular online dating application, men’s offline identity are enhanced and honed it on when crafting and online identity that would appeal to potential matches. I believed that men created a kind of ‘rule-book’ that regulated how online masculine identities might be performed on the App. This rule-book is shaped from prior experience of Tinder and observation from other famous men present on this app. I would say that rather than being freeing, the ‘rule-book’ created pressure to conform and impact on identity formation in this online setting.
    Well, do you think that I am right regarding the point that I have raise above?

    Waiting for your reply!
    Regards,
    JMaureaye

    1. Hello JMaureaye,

      Yes you are right. The same applies to men but a different context ; the ‘rule-book’, as you mentioned is different for the respective genders but the ‘pressure’ of perfect personality or physique representation on social media platforms can be felt in both genders.

      Ideas of ‘perfect’ personalities and physique are set for both men and women online, and it is to these ideas of perfection that users tend to scrutinize themselves.

      Regards,
      Keshav

  9. Hello,

    I particularly liked the way you discussed trolling which actually links in with my paper as i brush over showing too much content potentially opening Mothers up to ‘mum shaming’.
    Do you see trolling as a cowards way of expressing jealousy? and would you agree people think it’s ‘ok’ because they’re typing through a screen?
    Wonder if trolls were to come face-to-face with these influencers if they would say the same comment to their face?
    It is great that social media are able to monitor and act quickly when it comes to these bullying comments though, unfortunately the damage has already most likely been done.

    Thank you,
    Renee

    Feel free to check out my paper,
    https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2019Curtin/2019/05/05/uncovering-all-sides-of-social-media-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

    1. Hi Renee,

      Trolling online and real-life ‘trolling’ are in very different contexts and I would say it is easier for a social networks user to do it on the online platform than do it in real-life. Because as you mentioned, the latter is behind a screen and this could prove to be way harder face-to-face.

      Unfortunately, most of the times, the damage had already been done. But I hope this changes in the near future as more scrutiny and monitoring on public pages are been conducted.

      Will do.

      Regards,
      Keshav

  10. Hi there,
    Thank you for your contribution to this topic! I was wondering, do you think that for these young females you discuss, that their online identity ultimately becomes more important that their offline reality?

    1. Hello CSligh,

      Very good question you raised here. The online identity portrayed varies to a certain extent from the real-life personalities of some users of social media. There is importance laid on online identity but I don’t think it can be more important than the real self but rather the person imitating his/her online portrayal in real life.

      This could lead to false and/or created identities even in real-life.

      Regards,
      Keshav

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