The internet has become an integral part of human life today. People are spending more time than ever before on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tinder, etc., to keep themselves updated about what is happening around them and to connect with others.
While connecting with people through these digital mediums, there are some risks associated with it too.
People can create false identities online and post photos that do not depict their real selves. This behavior can have significant effects on how they perceive themselves, who they interact with, and how they are accepted by society. This essay will discuss this issue in detail.
Online self-presentation refers to how individuals portray themselves online. It includes all activities that individuals do online, such as creating profiles, posting pictures, writing captions for posts, sharing videos, liking other people's posts, commenting on articles, etc. Some common factors that influence online self-presentation include body image issues, gender stereotypes, ageism, sexual orientation discrimination, etc. These elements also affect authenticity, which refers to being true to oneself rather than pretending to be someone else. Self-concept, on the other hand, refers to one's perception of who they are and how they view themselves. When a person presents themselves inaccurately online, their self-concept may suffer because they cannot recognize themselves without the facade they put up.
Social acceptance refers to whether people feel comfortable around us based on our appearance or behavior. If we present ourselves online as something different from our actual selves, we might end up isolating ourselves from those around us.
One study revealed that 70% of American adults had altered their online profile photo to make themselves appear more attractive, younger, or thinner (Kang, et al., 2016). Another survey found that 85% of women and 74% of men were unhappy with their physical appearance, leading them to change it for their online presence (Rose & Littman, 2016). In addition, many youngsters use filters while taking photos to look perfect, resulting in an unrealistic standard of beauty. This trend makes it difficult for individuals to understand who they truly are and compare themselves with others who have edited images. Thus, they develop low self-esteem and anxiety about their bodies. Therefore, when a person does not represent themselves accurately, it can lead to issues such as depression, body dysmorphia disorder, eating disorders, etc.
When individuals portray themselves falsely online, it may lead to a mismatch between their real identities and their online ones. People start to believe what is shown on social media platforms rather than what is true in reality. The digital world offers us an opportunity to live lives away from real life's norms, which could be harmful if taken too far.
Some people create fake profiles to date multiple partners, hide their sexual orientation, etc., leading to misunderstandings and rejection later. Likewise, people who pretend to be someone else might get accepted by society but face criticism when the truth comes out.
Another study revealed that 93% of teenagers had witnessed cyberbullying among their friends (Livingstone et al., 2011). A false presentation of oneself may also cause bullying, trolling, or other negative responses from the public.
Transgender people might come under fire for being open about their identity because society disapproves of them. Similarly, women who do not fit into traditional gender roles may get harassed by men who feel threatened by them. Thus, online self-presentation affects how we interact with others, whether we are accepted or rejected, and how much intimacy we share.
Online self-presentation has both positive and negative effects on authenticity, self-concept, and social acceptance. Although it helps individuals connect with others, it can lead to issues such as body dysmorphia disorder, depression, low self-esteem, cyberbullying, etc. Therefore, individuals should present themselves accurately to avoid misrepresenting themselves and foster healthy relationships with those around them.
They must understand that there is no one perfect image or ideal personality type; everyone has flaws, including us.
How does online self-presentation affect authenticity, self-concept, and social acceptance?
Online self-presentation has been shown to have a significant impact on an individual's authenticity, self-concept, and social acceptance. Studies have found that individuals who engage in more authentic online self-presentation are perceived as more likable and trustworthy by others, while those who engage in less authentic self-presentation may be viewed as inauthentic and untrustworthy.