The construction of identity has always been influenced by society, but in the digital era, this process has become more visible and complex. In the past, identities were shaped not by the media absorbed but by the roles individuals were integrated into by the family. For girls, identity was depicted as ‘girly’ and ‘gentle’, whilst boys were the complete opposite. The term identity is defined as a combination of personality, experiences, and relationships which shape who we are as individuals. In the digital age, social media plays a massive role in this constructed process.
In the digital age and the world of social media, people have the power to shape how others may perceive them. This is done through the power of editing and showing certain aspects of your life as ‘aesthetic’ to create a fixed image. This is known as impression management which was founded by Erving Goffman in his 1959 book ‘The Presentation Of Self In Everyday Life’. The phrase refers to how others see them, especially by choosing what to show (front stage) or hide (backstage) In this case, on digital platforms, impression management is about handling your online image to appear different than you are, an example of this would be trend participation on TikTok. By joining viral challenges or dances, people appear to be more up to date, popular and socially active- which may paint their identity relatable and relevant. However, whilst social media may allow individuals to express themselves in a specific manner, it also encourages conformity. This represents how users of the digital world may feel pressure to fit in and play an identity which may not be authentic to them.
As stated before, peoples’ identities are often shaped by what they see online. Additionally, online identities are shaped by who individuals are offline – just usually more exaggerated. This may include platforms flooded with trends, influencers and viral content, which plays a vast role in adding onto someone’s existing identity, however, too much of this can be bad. While identities are significant on digital platforms, it comes with a cost. When people engage heavily in impression management- it can have a heavy impact on their well-being. An online study from PubMed found that false exaggerated self-presentation can lead to a weaker self-concept clarity and more depressive symptoms which may disrupt an individual’s fixed identity.
Some may argue that identity on digital platforms is easily influenced by the latest trends and whatnot; but identity should be perceived as more fragmented and fluid as identities are constantly being developing in relation to different digital platforms. For example, a person might curate a professional identity on LinkedIn and a playful identity on TikTok.
In conclusion, this indicates how each digital platform encourages different behaviours and expressions- which allows people to explore multiple different identities they may possess. This also goes to show how digital identities are shaped by ongoing online interactions and the changing online world.
Reference:
Wong, T.K. & Hamza, C.A. (2025) ‘Online self‑presentation, self‑concept clarity, and depressive symptoms: A within‑person examination’, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 54(4), pp. 997–1013. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39604620/ (Accessed: 2 November 2025).
Hi! This is such a thoughtful and well-articulated piece! You’ve perfectly captured the dual-edged nature of identity in the digital age. I especially appreciated how you connected Erving Goffman’s classic theory of impression management to modern behaviors, like participating in TikTok trends. It’s so true that these platforms allow for creative self-expression and exploration, letting us try on different “hats” — from the professional self on LinkedIn to the playful one on TikTok. While the risks to well-being from constant curation are real, your conclusion is ultimately so positive and empowering. The idea that our identities can be fluid and multifaceted, rather than fixed, is a liberating way to frame our online interactions. Thanks for sharing this insightful perspective—it was a fascinating read.
Hi. This is a really good read! It is really engaging and colourful. You effectively connect social media behaviours to psychological outcomes, supported by credible research. You make a strong point about the relationship between online and offline identities, especially how digital platforms can amplify certain traits and influence well-being. Overall, it’s a really good and educational read.
Hi, this is such an interesting read! You can you’ve definitely though this topic through and enjoy talking about it. The way you connected the theory to something as common as TikTok trends really made the point click for me! I also appreciate that you showed the lesser sides to having such a curated personality on social media but your conclusion wrapped up your thoughts perfectly. Such an insightful read!