Beyond the Screen: How Social Media Shapes Who We Are?
In today’s digital era, social media has revolutionised how we interact, form connections, and convey our thoughts and feelings. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok serve as virtual hubs where we can see others’ lives and showcase our own experiences to a worldwide audience, facilitating an unprecedented level of virtual interaction and engagement.
Amidst the likes, shares, and endless scrolling, have you ever considered how social media shapes who we are?
The Influence of Social Media on Identity Formation
Social media offers remarkable freedom to individuals. It exposes them to different lifestyles and trends, blurring social and cultural boundaries.
By providing access to diverse information and perspectives from a global perspective, social media serves as a platform for individuals to explore and express their identities. Shaping users’ awareness, understanding, and acceptance of themselves and others, as well as embracing inclusivity and freedom, thus influences their cognition and identity formation process.
In recent years, Vlogging, or video blogging, has surged in popularity. Vloggers use platforms like YouTube to share glimpses of their lives, offering viewers intimate insights into their daily activities, thoughts, and viewpoints. These personal and candid narratives have resonated with audiences, with some vloggers even attaining celebrity status, amassing over 100 million subscribers.
Holly Gabrielle was one of my favourite vloggers during high school. She offered a window into the life of a Cambridge University student, showing her daily routines and thoughts. Her healthy diet and lifestyle was an inspiration to me.
This is her most popular video; a highly-liked comment said:
Holly’s response was simple yet profound:
“Thank you! And I only hope to be myself online. Why would I be someone else?”
It is hard to celebrate your individuality and accept your imperfections under the prevalent portrayal of flawless personas on social media. This sense of connection and belonging exemplifies the concept of ‘social identity gratifications’ coined by psychologists. The quest to find like-minded individuals and affirm one’s beliefs and values drives individuals to seek out communities where they feel a sense of belonging.
“Being yourself” resonates as a popular phrase among youth, but its true driving force lies in the discovery of like-minded individuals worldwide. Finding peers who share your values fosters a sense of belonging and empowers individuals to express themselves openly, enhancing self-awareness and identity.
Social Comparison and Self-Esteem
Social media platforms have transformed our world into a grand stage where digital influencers often project idealised images of beauty, success, and happiness through meticulously curated content and polished images. This portrayal can prompt individuals to compare themselves to these unrealistic standards, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Think about it: When you post something on the Internet, are you genuinely uncovering and embracing your true self, or are you merely conforming to unrealistic standards or trends pursuing validation from others?
The anonymity of online expression has given rise to a troubling trend: cyberbullying and harassment. Hiding behind their screens, netizens can easily forget the impact of their words on others. With just a few taps on the keyboard, they can unleash harsh and hurtful comments without considering the emotional toll they may inflict on those at the receiving end.
The fear of judgment might compel individuals to hide their true selves online, hindering their ability to nurture healthy self-esteem and express their authentic personality.
In Course 2: Digital Engagement, it is emphasised that engagement generates data, which utilised by companies for their own commercial interests. Social media and companies closely monitor your activities, tailor targeted advertising to your interests and keep you engaged. Therefore, it’s essential to establish boundaries in managing our online presence and interactions. Being conscious of the time spent on social media and its impact on our mental well-being is crucial. By regulating the content we engage with, we can emphasise positivity and authenticity in our online interactions.
According to Catherine Steiner-Adair, a clinical psychologist and author of The Big Disconnect:
Face-to-face interactions provide immediate feedback, fostering the development of relationships and enhancing confidence and self-esteem in expressing ideas effectively. Numerous students commented in Course 2: Digital Engagement that in-person interaction involves body language, facial expressions, and tones, enhancing the accuracy of emotional expression. Hence, maintaining a balance between online engagement and real-life interactions is essential for effective communication and personal growth, fostering meaningful connections.
Be Critical of Social Media Trends
Browsing and absorbing the information and trends of social media also need to be carefully evaluated and criticised.
The “Korean girl study method” has taken Chinese social media by storm in recent years. It involves extensive daily study sessions paired with self-care and exercise routines. Under the extremely competitive social landscape, Korean students spend 10 hours at school; some students even study 18 hours a day. People admire Korean students’ goal-oriented focus, emotional resilience, and remarkable productivity.
However, it’s essential to recognise that this method can be extreme and detrimental to overall well-being. Sacrificing sleep and neglecting extracurricular activities can have negative physical and mental consequences.
In this video, the vlogger attempted to follow the Korean study routine for a day. She described it as exhausting and detrimental to concentration due to the lack of sleep. This highlights the unhealthy nature of the trend. Also, it may inadvertently contribute to increased anxiety among students who feel inadequate if they aren’t studying for these huge hours a day.
Amidst the popular trends on social media, it’s crucial to take a moment to pause and reflect on our values, passions, and aspirations. By clarifying what truly matters to us, we can stay grounded in our convictions and standards and resist unrealistic expectations online.
Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
As digital citizens, we are responsible for engaging with social media thoughtfully and ethically. This includes being mindful of our online behaviour, respecting the privacy and rights of others, and critically evaluating the information we encounter online. By upholding these responsibilities, we not only contribute to a healthier online environment but also nurture our sense of self-expression and identity development.
Self-reflection
Gibbs’ (1988) Reflective Cycle is used in this reflection.
Description:
During this course, I explored the multifaceted realm of digitalisation and its impact on various aspects such as individual interaction, society, and ethics. As an education student intrigued by digital educational materials design and student experiences, I enrolled in this course to deepen my understanding of the digital era.
Feelings:
Initially, I approached the course with curiosity and eagerness. However, as the unit progressed, I encountered moments of frustration, particularly regarding self-discipline in independent study and other academic commitments. This led to stress and pressure as I sometimes struggled to manage my time effectively.
Evaluation:
This experience taught me valuable lessons in time management and self-discipline, skills that will undoubtedly serve me well in my future academic and professional endeavours.
The course’s emphasis on critical analysis and viewing issues from multiple perspectives has been incredibly beneficial. By encouraging me to question and analyse digital phenomena from various angles, I have developed a more nuanced understanding of complex issues surrounding digitalisation.
Analysis:
Writing a blog as part of the assessment was a rewarding experience. As someone more accustomed to academic writing, crafting a concise and engaging blog posed a new challenge. However, through this experience, I have learned how to write a blog and the appropriate use of formatting.
In terms of soft skills, I have improved my ability to see things from more angles, be critical, and be sensitive to morality. The transformability of these skills will also be very helpful for me when writing academic papers in the future.
Also, the staff’s feedback was invaluable in guiding my improvement and deepening my understanding of the assignment rubric.
Moreover, this course has inspired me in my future course design endeavours. It offers insights into innovative educational approaches prioritising inclusivity and engagement, such as podcasts and interactive materials. Additionally, conscious discussions of moral considerations surrounding technology and blog post writing have enriched my understanding of the humanistic aspects of digitalisation.
Conclusion:
Overall, my experience in the course has been enriching and enlightening. It has broadened my horizons, deepened my understanding of digitalisation, and equipped me with valuable skills for the future.
Action plan:
I will prioritise implementing effective time management strategies to balance my academic commitments more efficiently, such as creating detailed schedules and utilising productivity tools to maximise my study time. Additionally, I aim to continue honing my critical thinking skills by actively seeking diverse perspectives.
