SOCIAL MEDIACREATES & REFLECTSOUR IDENTITY

BY: SHAYNE GELBARD

Photocredit: Suchitra Source: Flickr

Are we the same person as we are on social media?

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One of the differences between our self-image in real life and online is more ability to change

our LOOK, and also MASK our identity.

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"Now that we can interact with hundreds — no, thousands — of people simultaneously, we've strengthened the impact that others have on our self-value" Photo Credit: jjelenbaas Source: Flickr

“Has that single chosen image become the most important representation of our online identity?

It is the first place the EYE is drawn to on a Facebook profile.”

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“The profile picture or avatar is a way for people to present a certain side of themselves. It also puts the person in control of their own image.”Photo Credit: Cristoph_Aigner Source: Flickr

“Self-image is important, and not always in a narcissistic way. It's how we DEFINE ourselves, and

present for others to see.”

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“Studies have shown that the comments on your Facebook profile picture strongly affect your level of

perceived physical, social and professional attractiveness.”

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By this logic, all of your “friends” on Facebook are the main influence in helping to craft your online self.

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“Humans are naturally competitive. Visual social platforms, like Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr

allow quick and frequent access to others' profiles…this encourages social comparison.”

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If our “friends” are just tools to compare ourselves to, are we really “connecting” with

them?

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Using these tools to connect is damaging our connections to others

in real life.

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“Facebook is playing bigger role in relationship formation and relationship disillusions.”

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We’ve become accustomed to a new way of being “alone together.”

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“The little devices most of us carry around are so powerful that they change not only what we do,

but also who we are.”Image Credit: Scallop Holden Source: Flickr

Our human selves are now becoming reflective of our social media selves, which is the opposite of the service’s original intention.

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“We are tempted to think that our little “sips” of online connection add up to a big gulp of real

conversation. But they don’t.”

“Researchers have found that Facebook really is altering, or at least reflecting new relationship

patterns, even how people break up.”

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“Texting and e-mail and posting let us present the self we want to be. This means we can edit.

And if we wish to, we can delete.”

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We are so obsessed

with getting

approval from

everyone we know

online, that we forget

about keeping it from the

ones we’re closest with.

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In a time where the virtual world has made friendship isolating, and loneliness connective, how can we maintain real relationships with others?

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“I say, look up, look at one another, and let’s start the conversation.”

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Sources Used:

• http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-conversation.html?pagewanted=3

• http://mashable.com/2013/02/15/social-media-and-the-selfie/

• http://www.buzzfeed.com/atmccann/how-facebook-ruined-dating-and-breaking-up-too