Analyzing Identity Construction Through Social Media Platforms

This essay delves into the significant impact of social media on identity formation in the 21st century. It begins by defining social media and highlighting its role in global connectivity and cultural exchange, particularly focusing on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. The essay explores how these platforms facilitate the construction of online identities through self-branding, self-promotion, and visual storytelling, emphasizing the importance of profile pictures and self-descriptions. It examines the role of social media in enabling self-expression and the development of professional identities, and the impact of social media on shaping perceptions, lifestyles, and culture. The essay further discusses how social media allows for the creation of idealized self-representations and the emergence of a desired lifestyle sold as a commodity, concluding that social media is a powerful medium for identity development and self-promotion.

CULTURAL
STUDIES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
ESSAY ............................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
Social media is a term that is being utilized to describe interaction among groups as well
as individuals wherein they produce, share as well as sometimes makes exchange of ideas over
internet as well as in virtual communities. There is significant impact of social media on the
individuals (Mangold and Faulds, 2009). Today the children are growing up surrounded by
mobile devices as well as interactive networking sites that is Twitter, MySpace, Facebook as
well as LinkedIn. In the present 21st century the increasing global connectivity social media and
utilization of the social media has deeply embedded within our culture through playing a
important role in everyday lives of the people. It is being assessed that social media offers
opportunity to makes construction of identities by the means of sharing information and content,
interaction with like minded people and developing communities over internet. Facebook is
considered as the most suitable example which demonstrates this. Facebook has grown rapidly in
significance for social media users as it offers a platform for the people to manage as well as
make creation of online identities by means of sharing photos on a large network of social
communities as an act of visual storytelling (Kietzmann and et.al., 2011). The present essay
makes discussion in context of identity, analysis of the materiality of application interface that
assist in making construction of the identity. Along with this the present essay is comprised of
the discussion that relates with the manner in which identities are mediated by the means of
Internet of things. This will help in development of clear understanding of the idea.
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ESSAY
The social media has lead to the rapid increase in the global connectivity. It further
facilitate the different individuals and groups to gain knowledge of the different culture and
lifestyles of people. The rapid increase in social media has enabled the individuals to have
smooth interaction with each other. It not only help in communicating important information but
also facilitate in sharing creative ideas, brain storming sessions and group discussions over
trending topics (Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe, 2007). Social media is broad aspect that
comprehends a range of websites. The main feature of social media is that it enable interaction
to websites and visitors. In the current scenario, the social media help in representing and
communicating the identity of various individuals and organizations. Social media involve
different categories such as social networking which is gaining large attention and is very
popular. The prime example of social networking site is Facebook. It is attractive facility that
enable the individuals to comment o n different profiles, become part of various groups and
have discussions with varied kinds of individuals online (Acquisti and Gross, 2006). It further
enable the individual to share photos and videos related to their personal and professional lives.
Therefore, it can be stated that use of social media is profoundly integrated in the culture of
people. Social networking play a influential role in routine lives of individuals of the 21st
century. By enabling the transmission of information and content, communication with different
individual having contrasting perception and attitudes and developing online communities etc the
social media assist in building a unique identity (Joinson, 2008).
Facebook is prime example that showcase how identities are developed and
communicated through internet. It has quickly developed its importance for social media users as
it renders a platform t o people to manage and develop their online identities , by sharing videos
and pictures onto a wide network of social communities and function as visual story telling. The
study of current Facebook statistics as of 30 June, 2016 shows that there are 1.71 billion active
monthly users (Pempek, Yermolayeva and Calvert, 2009). It is evident that Facebook has
become important part of every day lives of individuals. It also play a major role in self
branding. It is the practice of individuals marketing themselves and their professions as brands. It
is procedure where individuals present themselves as brand through a self intended development
of own description, picture of own selves. It further takes assistance of adoption of orientation,
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cultural meanings and pictures that as representator of the thought culture. Therefore, they share
their sentiments, cultural, political and religious beliefs etc (Zhao, Grasmuck and Martin, 2008).
The major focus is given on the visibility aspect, through the selection of effective and impelling
profile pictures as it permits the users to showcase a particular visual personality. It can be
refereed that self branding through profile pictures show what the person wants regarding
permitting their followers to comprehend and interpret their own identities to be equal to. Such
as, one can opt to select picture taken at park or scenic beauty instead of that taken at shopping
mall. This can result into contrasting social impression that would be perceived distinctively by
other users. In addition to this aspect, the users of Facebook are allowed to develop a brief story
telling like self description on their profile page, commonly developed by the individuals
objective of developing the account (Valenzuela, Park and Kee, 2009). As per the description
provided in Bourduieu analysis on habitus it has been identified that they way person negotiates
with the outside world showcase the way its self image is developed socially and culturally.
According to the description provided by Bourdieu personal recognition is formed as per the
terms of culture and social norms, subconsciously impacting the person to conduct in particular
manner , regardless of being properly alert of their actions (Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe,
2007). Overall, it can be stated that internal forces that direct selection of display picture and
self-description permits users to develop their identities all inclusive of social and cultural
determinants. Further, it has been identified that Facebook is effective tool that is effectively
used for self promotion and expression.
The self promotion is act of advertising or promoting own self, functions performed by
it. It has changed the use of social media that cause important modifications on person opinions,
style and culture. With the help of self expression, people are not permitted to be extra open and
communication regarding issues that are they powerfully feel for (Joinson, 2008). Therefore,
sharing through photos and media related to specific problems becomes heading and are linked
with the persons ideologies and overall development of social identity. Facebook is also
supporting the entrepreneurs in developing their corporate identities. Therefore, they design
their brand page, upload attractive pictures of products and services offered by them so as to gain
recognition In market and encourage brand awareness (Pempek, Yermolayeva and Calvert,
2009).
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Another example of social media is LinkedIn that enable one in creating self identity.
Here users are able to make creation of idealized identity of self which they wish that other needs
to perceive. Self branding is the major process in which person brand themselves by the self
conscious creation of profile description as well as profile picture of their own. Greater focus is
being given towards making selection of suitable profile picture as it acts as an aid in creation of
visual identity (Duggan and et.al., 2015). As LinkedIn is used for creation of professional
identity among the other professionals in various fields. Thus in this case the role of profile
picture is significant. For instance selection of a photo taken at formal event in comparison with
photo at night club can result in creation of varied social expression that can be interpreted in
different manner by the other users. Bourdieu's analysis of habitus to a greater extent support this
view point. It reflects that materiality of application including selection of profile picture and
description offers opportunity to the users in constructing identities which encompasses cultural
as well as social influence.
From the larger perspective along with ideal identities there is emergence of desired
lifestyle which is being sold as commodity. LinkedIn can effectively be used for the purpose of
creating self expression as well as self promotion. Such has revolutionized the usage of social
media, that is causing significant alterations in the one's perspectives, lifestyle as well as culture.
The aspect of self expression as well as self promotion can be fulfilled by the means of social
media. With the existence of self expression the person is allowed to be open as well as vocal in
relation to the issues that are strong (Xiang and Gretzel, 2010). Self promotion is major factor
that can be effectively addressed by the use of social media site that is LinkedIn. The role this
professional site is towards sharing the career goals and status which later can be viewed by
other professionals (Lewis, Tania. 2008). Therefore it has major role in attainment of future
targets with greater effectiveness. It is one the world's largest professional network that is having
more than 433 million members in 200 countries and territories across the globe. The mission
with which it works is towards connecting the world's professionals in order to make them more
productive as well as successful. With LinkedIn access can be gained to the individuals, jobs,
news, updates as well as insights that can assist the person in becoming great in whatever they
perform. Such has greater importance in portraying one's image before other so that this can
result in career development to a greater extent. Creation of the personal brand can be done by
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the means of sharing of photos from every day life. Further the development in career needs to
be updated on site so that professionals can approach the person in an effective manner. This
assist in building strong image (Gerbaudo, 2012). Quick job can be attained by the means of such
as the site has importance in gaining desired lifestyle. After making examination of the photo and
the career updates better opportunity can be gained by an individual which can appraise the
standard of living of a particular person.
Social media has greater significance in creating identity. Because of pervasive
connectivity with the globalized world through LinkedIn assist the person in seeking data that
will affect the continuous reinvention of the online branded self for keeping up with the changing
trends. LinkedIn offers greater chance in projection of self by the means of integrating the
principles that relates with connectivity as well as narrative within their interfaces. Such
projection is largely displayed by the means of user's choice related with photo, description of
the profile and expectations. Online personas have gained greater importance in the field that is
related with self branding. Through means of self promotion the choice of the photos uploaded
on LinkedIn and Instagram is being transformed into value as well as character of their brand
with greater effectiveness (Asur and Huberman, 2010). Because of large amount of control users
are having on the materials that presents them over LinkedIn that includes photo as well as
process application the authenticity of the individual is debatable. This is questionable that
whether the information which is being presented demonstrates clear picture of the identity and
manipulation is being made by the people in order to attract other user of the social media.
CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, it can be concluded that social media is a strong medium that enable the
individuals to develop identity. Facebook is effective social media site through which individual
can do self-promotion and develop own self as a brand. The increased global connectivity, with
Facebook users can easily ascertain information that can impact the constant design on e-
branded self to stay aligned with modifying and upgrading trends. Profile picture is a clear
representation of individuals and one can convey its identify to others those who would like to be
associated with individual. Profile page describe intention and purpose of the user of crating this
page like many persons create account for personal use while others make it for professional
objective. Overall, it can be concluded by saying that social media is a powerful medium which
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help and yield power to individuals to manage their personal branding. It has choice of filter and
crop the picture through which one can manipulate his photos and can influence other's decisions
and perceptions. Facebook render a platform through which individual can express feelings and
can promote own self ton this social site.
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