138/

Mind and Society ISSN 2277-6907

Vol. 11, No.II June, 2022, Page No.138 to 144

Social Media and Identity Formation – The Influence

of Self-Presentation and Social Comparison

Received: 23 May 2022 *Jeyanthi. M

Revision Received 01 June 2022
Accepted :15 June 2022
DOI:10.56011/mind-mri-112-202216

Abstract
For today’s youth, media and technology are major social elements, and they spend a substantial
portion of their daily lives conversing via social media. According to Rideout (2010), youth that use the
media regularly have a large number of friends, get along well with their parents, and are pleased with
their schools and institutions. Those that use the media frequently also say that they get into a lot of
trouble, are frequently upset or unhappy, and are frequently bored. Individuals’ offline contacts with
others decline as their spending on social networking sites increases, meaning that the majority of their
socialising and sociability occurs in the glow of a screen. As a result, social media has the potential to
influence an individual’s psychological well-being, particularly among teens, as well as identity building,
modifying how people see themselves and others. Without needing to meet in person, people can utilise
social networking to create an identity and communicate with others. It offers both chances and obstacles
for developing a consistent, stable, and meaningful sense of self. The paper elucidates the impact of
social media on young people’s self-presentation, social comparison, and self-esteem, as well as how it
affects their identity construction. In today’s technology environment, most studies on social networking
sites have focused on the bad effects. However, this paper focuses on the positive sides of social media
and how it aids in the formation of identity.
Keywords: Self-Presentation, Social Comparison, Self-esteem, Social networking, Identity

Introduction personal and social identities. Identity is the

Social media has become a global phenomenon and a understanding of who we are, which is combined with
key aspect of life and has widespread appeal among self-awareness to form a cognitive representation of
young people today, starting from online pages to mass the self. In other words, both internal and external
communication networks where anybody can access variables influence who we are and how we become
any information about themselves or others within who we are. On new media platforms such as the
minutes. Social media allow users to connect and internet, the media is increasingly seen as an ”expansion
interact with friends, acquaintances, as well as of everyday life and an instrument of cultural
strangers, which are web-based (and increasingly transformation”. As a result, identity formation as a
mobile) services. Examples of social networking sites social concept is undergoing new and even more
are WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and widespread worldwide transformations. In order to
media-sharing sites such as YouTube, Clubhouse, Flickr, understand just how social media use influences are
blogs, and other web-based communication forums. The congruent with student identity development, it is first
psychological benefits of social media include more important to review the relevant theories. The next part
social engagement and, in certain cases, higher self- discusses how self-presentation and social comparison
esteem as a result of updating one’s own profile (Lup, are helpful in the formation of identity through non-
Trub, & Rosenthal, 2015). Social networking sites empirical studies based on literature, observation, and
provide a platform for teenagers to develop their interaction with the students.

*Psychologist, Central Prison, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India.

 Social Media and Identity Formation – The Influence ... /139

Identity Formation: The Psychology of Traditional psychology views adolescent identity

Adolescence formation via the lens of offline criteria.
Identity is a “conscious sense of individual However, today’s youth are regularly exposed to
uniqueness” and an “unconscious striving for a intricate cognitive processes through social media.
continuity of experience” (Erikson, 1968), and it is Donath and Boyd (2004) observe some of the ways
attained through exploration and then commitment, a that individuals reflect their social identity:
process fueled by a decrease in reliance on parents People show their connections in the physical world
and an increase in the navigation of relationships in in a variety of ways. They have family functions,
larger social spheres during adolescence and the festivals, and parties in which they introduce friends
transition to adulthood. Erikson’s (1968) theory of who they think would like—or impress—each other.
psychosocial development has eight phases, and each They casually mention the names of high-ranking
identifies the psychosocial crisis that is to be resolved associates in their discourse. They decorate their
in each stage in order to move to the next stage. In the refrigerator with photos. Simply appearing in public
adolescent phase, which is between the ages of thirteen with one’s associates is a display of connection. (p.
and nineteen, the conflict is between identity and “role 72)
confusion.” The main developmental task in the fidelity Adolescents and teenagers can use social
stage is for adolescents to solidify a stable sense of networking sites to create their personal and social
identity. Coming of age, according to Erik Erikson’s identities. Martinovic et al. (2019) highlight the role of
psychosocial model, necessitates the creation of a digital skills as drivers of well-being in young people.
cohesive and stable identity with meaning and value in ICTs contribute to well-being through supporting
society. Identity formation entails the establishment of informal learning, creating digital identities, increasing
a secure sense of self as well as the “crucial job competencies, and fostering meta-social abilities,
requirement for trust in oneself and others” (Erikson, among other things. Moreover, identity is constructed
1968, p. 128). At this stage, youth have to develop an during the transition to adulthood, and digital abilities
“inner sameness” that is matched to how their can play an important role in this process. Mannerstrom
“sameness” is recognised by others. They try to (2019) showed that identity formation was related to
compare themselves with others in terms of how they digital practises and competencies. Middaugh et al.
feel and how others see them. They’re trying to figure (2017) suggest that there is a positive relationship
out who they are in the context of their surroundings; between youth empowerment and certain uses of digital
after they’ve figured out who they are, they realise tools. In the digital age, establishing a self in online
that who they are is consistent across settings and that places via digital screens where they communicate their
others notice it. A healthy, mature individual has thoughts and opinions is becoming increasingly
established a stable, integrated identity. Chickering and important. Identity constitutes both individual and
Reisser’s (1993) theory consists of seven vectors and personal discriminators (such as one’s personal history)
is an incremental developmental model whereby a as well as components related to one’s role in social
student progresses through discrete stages such as groups, such as the way we interact with others in
developing competence, managing emotions, moving online communities. How we see ourselves and our
through autonomy toward interdependence, developing role/position in the greater social system can have an
mature interpersonal relationships, developing mature impact on how we act, believe, and associate with
interpersonal relationships, developing purpose, and others. Adolescents try to develop their identity and
developing integrity. self-esteem in their interactions with friends and peers.
Identity Development Because online information and communication
Identity is a socially, historically, and culturally technologies have the capacity to meaningfully impact
constructed concept. It encompasses how we think identity processes, it is important to consider the way
about ourselves and our role/part in the bigger society; we present ourselves (self-presentation), social
identity is enacted through social interactions with comparison, and self-esteem in the formation of
family, peers, organizations, institutions, and the media, identity.
and our relationships with them. As Martin and Adolescence and Social Networking Sites
Nakayama observed, “Identity is created in part by Social networking sites are virtual communities
the self and in part by relation to group membership.” where people can establish individual public profiles,
 140/ Social Media and Identity Formation – The Influence ...

interact with friends and others, stay connected despite on several social networking platforms (Boyd and
geographical distance and other barriers, and meet new Ellison, 2007). They decide what to display on their
people based on common interests. It is also a space profiles for others to see. The physical detachment
for socialization. Youth are a distinct group of social from audiences and the control of self-presentation
network site users, having been among the first to grow make it easier to hide or fake personal characteristics.
up in a world dominated by communication Individuals make intentional decisions to expose
technologies. Youth use social networking sites to personal information about themselves on their profiles
create their personal and social identities as well as to through photos, and their networks provide social
mediate their interactions with friends, romantic feedback on those profile displays.The desire to
partners, and larger groups of peers. It offers produce a positive impression on others, or an
adolescents new opportunities as well as new impression that matches one’s beliefs, is typically seen
challenges to express to the world who they are. Youth to motivate self-presentation. It is the conscious or
today employ technology that is both unique and unconscious process by which people try to influence
comparable to that used by previous generations. It is the perception of their image, typically through social
pointed out that, as past generations have gathered in interactions. Self-presentation is a natural process that
parking lots and shopping malls, teens gather in takes place in the offline world—people have a mental
networked public spaces for a variety of purposes, representation of themselves and spend psychological
including to negotiate identity, gossip, support one energy attempting to ensure that others see them in
another, jockey for status, collaborate, share the same light.So, if people believe they are generous,
information, flirt, joke, and goof off. They go there to for example, they will act outwardly in generous ways;
hang out. Social networking sites represent a new they may also highlight how they are generous so that
environment for people to learn different things and others make the same evaluation of them. Self-
through which to examine adolescent development. presentation occurs through conscious processes such
Furthermore, adult supervision is less intense online as selectively sharing self-relevant information. This
than it is offline, allowing them to imagine or share process is similar to what occurs online when people
about themselves without hesitation, as well as do not reveal all facets of their personalities to others.
experiment with new ideas, behaviors, and so on.In Self-presentation then helps youth to build their identity
studies of social media, psychological mechanisms such by externally displaying the characteristics they find
as social comparison (comparing oneself to others in more acceptable while repressing those they find
either an upward or downward direction; that is, with disagreeable, impolite, or embarrassing.
those who are perceived to be better or worse than The internet environment is ideal for youth to
oneself); self-disclosure (sharing information about explore their identities and obtain feedback in
oneself with others); and impression management quantifiable ways. Adolescents share and interact with
(acting to highlight positive aspects of the self and a larger expanse of teens outside their immediate social
minimise characteristics that are perceived to be circles by projecting their views, opinions, thoughts,
unattractive) have been identified, and these are and issues onto digital platforms such as profile pictures,
associated with adolescents’ behavior, both positively photos, videos, memes, etc. The profile picture is the
and negatively. As a result, Collin and Burns (2009) main image or photo that appears alongside the name
observed that, as a result, technology can be considered of the presenter and is the first image that new friends
a driver of well-being, as it has an impact on the lives see before sending a friend request. It appears next to
of young people all over the world. every user’s message, chat, comment, response, or
Self-Presentation “Like.” The construction of identity on social
Adolescents use social media for self-presentation networking platforms is so flexible that people can
and represent themselves online by posting images and design, hide, or even alter their identity if they want.
sharing details about their lives. Online self- As a result, people can put their new identity to the
presentation is primarily done through social media test online by posting pertinent items on social media
profiles, and in addition, they update their status and under their real names, adopting a pseudonym and
share attractive and positive images through social posting as someone who has already come out, or
networking platforms. Users can create a profile and anonymously addressing worries about the coming-out
graphically exhibit their social network relationships process. In these ways, the student can gather support
 Social Media and Identity Formation – The Influence ... /141

for the challenging intrapsychic and social processes social roles, beauty, popularity, wealth accumulation,
he or she is dealing with. Boyd (2015) mentions that and other social functions. People who spend more
the ability to share pictures and exchange ideas and time on social media read other people’s profiles,
small talk via text messaging, blogs, profiles, and status compare themselves to others, and begin to envy
updates is the new-age “note passing,” meaning that particular people they believe are better off than they
these methods have become ways to interject their are. Walther and colleagues argue that most people
identity. As a result, social media sites and the profiles use Facebook to know what is going on or happening
they provide serve as a reference point for young adults in the lives of other people and judge others based on
to construct their social identities. They interact with the cues found on their profiles (Walther, Van Der
their peers, who are the most essential source of Heide, Kim, Westerman, & Tong, 2008). These people
information for teenagers. According to Boyd (2007), compare themselves to others who are considered high.
“teens obtain a sense of what types of presentations As a result, they start feeling inferior, less privileged,
are socially acceptable by looking at other people’s and ungrateful. Individuals’ self-esteem is directly
profiles; other people’s profiles provide crucial affected by these negative feelings. People’s lives are
indications about what to display on their profile.” (p. made worse by social comparisons made on social
10). Thus, self-presentation helps to find a socially networking sites like Facebook, which promotes
appropriate way of presentation that helps the young people’s negative well-being (Steers, Wickham, &
in constructing their identity. Acitelli, 2014). As a result, people evaluate themselves
Social Comparison poorly. People who use Facebook commonly assume
According to Leon Festinger’s social comparison that other users are happier and more successful,
theory, humans have an innate desire to appropriately according to Chou and Edge (2012), especially when
assess their own ideas and talents. People compare they do not know them well in person. So, when people
themselves to their peers when objective evaluations compare their real-life offline selves to others’ idealised
are unavailable. Social comparison is the basic human online selves, it can be harmful to their well-being and
tendency to feel good or bad about ourselves based on self-evaluation. Positive self-evaluation leads to a
how we compare ourselves with others. As a result, positive sense of self and is more desirable for identity
we are continuously evaluating ourselves and others in formation.
a variety of disciplines (for example, attractiveness, Self-Esteem
wealth, intelligence, and success). When one compares People at various stages of life face a variety of
himself to people who are superior and have positive situations, challenges, and environments, and young
attributes, upward social comparison happens, while people have a critical need to maintain and/or achieve
downward social comparison occurs when one self-esteem in order to react to and face these situations
compares himself to others who are inferior and have and events. Coopersmith (1967) defines self-esteem
negative characteristics (Wills, 1981; Wood, 1989). as “the evaluation which the individual makes and
Although upward comparison motivates people to customarily maintains with regard to himself: it
become more like them (Lockwood & Kunda, 1997), expresses the attitude of approval or disapproval and
it also makes people feel inadequate, evaluate indicates the extent to which the individual believes
themselves negatively, and experience negative affect himself to be capable, significant, successful, and
(Marsh & Parker, 1984; Morse & Gergen, 1970; worthy.” According to Heatherton and Wyand (2003),
Pyszczynski, Greenberg, & LaPrelle, 1985). However, self-esteem is the evaluative emotional component of
while downward comparison can occasionally make the self-concept. Moreover, self-esteem can be both a
people feel bad because it shows how things could be relatively stable attribute that develops over time and
worse (Aspin-wall, 1997), it more commonly leads to a fluid state that changes in response to daily events
gains in effect and self-evaluation (Wills, 1981). and contexts (Heatherton & Polivy, 1991). The
In “offline” settings, social comparisons have emergence and growth of social networking sites have
traditionally focused on in-person interactions with become a key part of people’s lives, especially the lives
intimate friends, co-workers, and family. Festinger of the youth. They use social media to develop
(1954) argued that social networking sites lead many relationships, interact with people in any part of the
people to self-evaluations and make social comparisons world, and share, learn, and gain knowledge and
between themselves and others based on social classes, information. The views, opinions and feedbacks of
 142/ Social Media and Identity Formation – The Influence ...

others (whether friends or the general public) have a how others view them and, as a result, are less hesitant
significant impact on their self-esteem. According to to initiate contact or introduce themselves, and they
Chen & Lee (2013), social networking sites help a expose or express themselves in a socially acceptable
person to compare themselves with others, which manner. In a nutshell, networking allows young people
increase the psychological distress of individuals and, to have more control over their self-presentation and
as a result, lowers their overall level of self-esteem. relationship initiation when compared to face-to-face
People’s self-evaluation and self-esteem may be contact. So, social networking sites help people keep
negatively impacted by chronic or occasional exposure their sense of self-worth by letting them express
to upward comparisons on social networking sites. themselves and putting an emphasis on their
However, social media interactions that gave teenagers relationships with friends and family. Hillier agrees that
a sense of closeness and support had a favourable online social media technologies can help these teens
impact on self-esteem. Also, the act of creating a feel less lonely and more confident by improving their
socially appealing self-presentation is reinforced by chances of finding like-minded peers. Therefore,
improvements in mood and self-esteem as well as increased social capital (resources accessed through
social approval. Furthermore, if teenagers felt a sense one’s social relationships), safe identity exploration,
of closeness and when people use Facebook for social support, and more opportunities for self-
positive self-presentation, it can boost subjective well- disclosure enhance their self-esteem. All of these
being in some areas (Kim & Lee, 2011). Additionally, processes are necessary for healthy development and
he found that positive self-presentation, selecting only identity formation.
socially desirable images to share on one’s social Conclusion
network page, was directly positively correlated with Social media helps us to connect, interact, present
subjective well-being because it helps people affirm ourselves, and engage in other activities that are
positive views of them. Thus, self-presentational important for identity formation. Social media, an online
considerations as well as self-affirmation drive the arena for social behaviours such as self-presentation
building of a positive Facebook page, highlighting and social comparison, may have both positive and
positive elements of the self and enhancing self-esteem negative effects on users’ moods and mental health. It
(Toma, 2013). is a platform for common human behavior, and it makes
During interaction with adolescents, they feel that tools for self-presentation and targets for social
when they introduce themselves to peers or friends in comparison more widely available than ever before.
person, that is, in a face-to-face setting, they feel Now, in the social media culture, it’s a competition to
nervous and might cause uncomfortable or manage one’s online image and compare oneself to
apprehensive sensations. When they try to expose others. People are conscious of who is viewing their
themselves online and build relationships, they feel at online constructions, and thus, they actively construct
ease, and being online helps to overcome these uneasy the ideal self-formation in line with how they want to
sensations. In face-to-face conversation, body be perceived. Thus, with the help of social media, youth
language plays a major role in expressing emotions evaluate themselves positively, and the positive/healthy
and communicating more than verbally to each other. self-esteem lays a strong base for identity formation.
When they are online, they are less concerned about
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