Social Media and Self: Influences on the Formation of Identity and Understanding of Self through Social Networking Sites

Over the years, social networking sites have grown into a more modern way of socializing. The widespread use and increasing time spent on these sites cause users to create online selfRpresentations in order to participate. Using Goffman’s dramaturgical theory, this study looked to explain the effects of feedback associated with online identities on social networking sites with offline identity development and presentation. An online LikertRscale survey was used gauge participant’s feelings about the social networking sites they used. Analysis of the collected data used a regression model to explore possible links between feedback on posts online and individuals’ internalization of that feedback into offline identities. Although no significant relationships were identified, the findings suggest directions for future research.

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