How social media sculpts your kids
Although self-identity development lasts a lifetime, the adolescence stage is very important. Adolescents are just stepping out of their shells to figure out life and self. Environmental objects/events, like social media, shape self. This article discusses the identity development process and the role of identity construction influenced by social media.
Identity development is influenced by interaction with the environment. Physical settings, social context, and people all contribute to self-identity. A self-identity is said to be developed when an individual adopts clear and consistent beliefs, goals, and values. The three-factor model of identity development suggests that individuals all go through commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment.
The first factor of identity development is termed commitment. During this phase an adolescent actively questions and weighs various options of goals, beliefs, and values. Upon contemplating the options, a choice is made to pursue an identity domain based on those goals, beliefs, and values. Events (physical and psychological) and behavior are geared towards solidifying the identity domain. Here is an example; it’s wrong to talk behind someone’s back. A friend tells you that Lucy is terrible because of something she did. You adhere to a committed identity domain that it’s wrong to talk behind someone’s back and don’t repeat the information heard about Lucy.
After the commitment factor, adolescents move onto the in-depth exploration phase. During this phase adolescents dig deep into their commitments. Reflection of their commitments in different situations are reviewed. A self-talk example; Is it really bad to let someone know about something that Lucy did? Will it help others make an informed decision if they hear about what Lucy did? How would I feel in Lucy’s situation? Often a choice is made to go against a committed belief, goal, or value. The consequences of defying the belief are reflected upon. Sometimes after reflection there are changes to the commitment leading to the third phase termed reconsideration of commitment.
After asking and reflecting there can be changes to commitments. Other options are scanned and weighed. Revisions are made based on the reflection changing their self-identity. This cycle is ongoing as adolescents engage in events and interact with their environment. Self-identity is suggested to be a subjective sense of self in different situations. Sculpting a self-identity involves exploring and experimenting with varying goals, beliefs, and values to ultimately become the desired self, the roles they wish to play, and their place in society.
There are four evident themes involving the influence of social media on identity construction. Self-preservation is the first theme. It’s defined as controlling and portraying the desired self-image. Individuals choose what information to share on social media that represent a desired (often positively biased) self-image. Adolescents use images, posts, and videos to explore and craft different image dimensions. Social media ‘friends’ shape values and desired impressions by approving (likes) or disapproving posts. It’s important to note that social media ‘friends’ values are directly influencing and shaping adolescents’ values and self-identity. Virtual friends matter.
Self-identity is also shaped by interactions with others as an audience. On social media an individual’s FB, X, Instagram page is the stage of a desired digital identity. Their ‘friends’ and ‘followers’ are the audience. Page and profile owners think about who their audience is and who will ‘see’ them. The audience may be real (family, peers), proximal (acquaintances, I kind of know them), and distal (never met, through the grapevine people). A social media audience highlights the sense of center of attraction, perceived importance, and a need to belong. Higher number of ‘friends’ and followers can influence a sense of power, bolstering risky behaviors. Desiring to acquire more ‘friends’ and the ability to influence the audience, adolescents may engage in risky behavior.
Another theme is a natural self-evaluation process called social-comparison. It’s defined as a way to evaluate, enhance, or improve the perception of self. All of us use social-comparison to continually shape self-identity, but it is strongly used in adolescent self-development. An individual will observe others’ behaviors and compare the observed behaviors to how they themselves would behave in the same situation. Other individuals are used as sources of data to determine how to think, feel, or behave in social situations. This is why it is good to know who your adolescence is communicating with on social media. Profile pictures are used, adding filters, to bolster an upwards comparison (pretty, skinny, academic success) to those with undesired social features (less likes). Comparing social media posts can identify a discrepancy between the current self-identity and the desired self-identity. Often, it can implement change in self-identity, but can also allow for lowered self-worth and depression.
Social cognitive theory suggests that role models offer references for identity domains including, but not limited to vocational, gender norms, and relationships. Social media role models may include celebrities and influencers, as suggested by a high number of followers and ‘likes.’ Adolescence is a stage defined with ‘a need to belong.’ Often, an adolescent will evaluate how their self-identity lines up with an ideal role model. The adolescent may change their appearance, values, and behaviors to parallel a role model. Social learning theory states role models influence behavior, dress, hair, values, etc. through modeling (mimicking).
Social media directly influences an adolescent’s self-identity. Young people are striving to find out who they are and who they want to become. Virtual ‘friends’ influence and sculpt the way adolescents think, feel, and think about themselves. Do you know who or what is influencing your kids on social media?