The process of creating an identity has changed significantly in the digital age, changing how we view and present ourselves in a globalized society. Our capacity to transcend time and space has increased with the development of media and communication technology. We communicate not only “here and now,” but also over great distances and throughout history, enabling people to create, curate, and present different aspects of their identities to a worldwide audience. Our communication stream is becoming more and more mediated, which means that regular social interaction maintenance is now primarily accomplished by mediated communication rather than direct conversation (Couldry& Hepp, 2016). Translocal contact is made easier by the digital age, which links individuals from different geographic backgrounds and enhances the mystique of their identities.
Our lives are now defined by the pervasiveness of media, or “mediatization,” which has a significant impact on both how we see ourselves and how others see us. The materiality of digital media, from smartphones to social media, has had a significant impact on how our identities are constructed. awareness of this intricate process requires an awareness of how technology affects communication, the ethical issues surrounding identity in the digital sphere, and the necessity of media literacy. This blog will explore the complex world of identity-building in the digital age, where people face a wide range of opportunities for influence, representation, and self-expression.
Communication and Identity Extension
Digital Identity Expansion Through Time and Space:
The fundamental nature of identity building has changed in the digital sphere due to the spread of communication over great distances and periods of time. Social media platforms have allowed people to transcend time and space, allowing them to create identities in previously unheard-of ways. Imagine a traveler who documents their global adventures and posts them on an app like Instagram, exhibiting not only their travels but also their status as world travelers.
In addition, users can converse in real-time, creating bonds and friendships with people they might never meet in person. The ability to curate and project identities globally is a defining feature of the digital age, expanding the parameters of personal identification and self-expression.
Translocal Communication: Unveiling Multifaceted Identities in the Digital Web：
Translocal communication links people from different geographic regions, revolutionizing how we create identities in the digital age. Take, for instance, a person in Europe who converses on social media with a person from Southeast Asia. The investigation of distinctive aspects of their identities is encouraged by this cross-cultural interaction.
Since communication is an interactional practice, it is by nature “social”(Couldry& Hepp, 2016). They get a deeper grasp of the world and themselves as they exchange experiences, viewpoints, and cultural quirks. People can create identities that are enhanced by a global viewpoint thanks to this digital interconnectedness that transcends national boundaries. In addition to expanding perspectives, the digital world makes it easier to uncover cultural subtleties and the many facets that make up our identities.
Mediatization: Crafting Identities in the Digital Mirror：
In the digital era, mediatization has a significant impact on how people form their identities. In this context, media channels transform into potent canvases for self-expression, allowing people to share their thoughts, images, and personal narratives with a worldwide audience.
Consider the well-known Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, for example. She has made good use of mediatization by being active on social media sites like Instagram. The company that runs Kusama’s Instagram account frequently posts stunning pictures and videos of her well-known art installations, such as her infinite mirror rooms and polka-dotted pieces. In addition to showcasing her artwork, these postings offer insights into her creative process, her love of painting, and her ideas on creativity. Yayoi Kusama has established a global following of art enthusiasts who view her as a leading avant-garde artist thanks to her mediatization initiatives.
Over time, this artistic life’s mediation affects not just her own perception of herself but also that of others. Her online persona shapes both her audience’s expectations and her own perception of herself as an artist. Her identity as an artist in the digital sphere is further cemented and developed by the responses and exchanges she gets from her followers. The example of Yayoi Kusama shows how digital media can drastically alter and spread an artist’s identity within the contemporary art community.”
Yayoi Kusama is used as an example to show how mediatization affects how an artist constructs their identity in the digital realm. Yayoi Kusama, as a trailblazing artist, has skillfully constructed her digital persona through her active participation in social media. Her internet persona not only shapes her self-perception but also the way her international fan base views her, underscoring the significance of digital media on the development and dissemination of an artist’s identity.
Media’s Role and Ethical Considerations
Role of Media in Society:
The famous film “Thelma & Louise,” which was directed by Ridley Scott, is a masterful example of how the media can change people’s ideas about what it means to be a woman and what society values.
Two compelling female leads, Thelma and Louise, are introduced in the film. They set off on a quest against social norms and conventional gender stereotypes. Their representation subverts gender norms and emphasizes leadership, intelligence, and independence. The movie sparked conversations about how women are portrayed in the media and how it affects people in the real world as it attracted a large audience and received extensive media coverage. Women were greatly impacted by this portrayal of strong, independent female characters, which encouraged them to challenge conventional wisdom, pursue unconventional career routes, and define their identities in ways that went beyond stereotypical gender norms.
“Thelma & Louise” influenced societal ideals and views of women’s responsibilities in society, contributing to a larger cultural movement towards more inclusive and diverse gender perspectives. The movie is still a potent example of how the media has the ability to shape people’s views and question, redefine, and challenge conventional gender conventions and roles.
Ethical Considerations:
First of all, ethics is neither a set of laws and regulations enforced by outside parties nor a method by which members of society decide upon and provide permission to certain rules. It precedes both the consensus-building process of developing consistent social norms and any institutionally formed laws and regulations (Scannell, 2007).
Ethical issues play a major role in the complex process of identity-building in the digital sphere. People face numerous ethical dilemmas when navigating the intricacies of creating their digital personas. In this setting, issues like cyberbullying, privacy, online anonymity, and the portrayal of multiple identity groups become crucial factors.
While being anonymous online can give people more freedom to express themselves, it also fosters negative conduct and cyberbullying. Authenticity and the indistinct lines separating the two are called into question by the ethics of how a person’s offline and online personas correspond. Furthermore, it is necessary to use a nuanced approach to ensure inclusivity, respect, and cultural sensitivity while representing multiple identity groups in digital environments.
In the digital age, where identity construction is intertwined with intricate moral quandaries, navigating these ethical considerations is crucial. It emphasizes how crucial ethical consciousness and responsible online conduct are to making sure that the process of creating a digital identity is constructive and inclusive.
References：
Couldry, N, & Hepp, A 2016, The Mediated Construction of Reality, Polity Press, Newark. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [5 November 2023].
FeministSchool: To Understand and Tackle Systems of Oppression (2021) Available at: https://capiremov.org/en/experience/feministschool-to-understand-and-tackle-systems-of-oppression/ (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
Scannell, P., 2007. Media and Communication. Media and Communication, pp.1-320.
Sharing local learning brings transformative change (2023) Available at: https://sustainablejustcities.eu/keys/translocal (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
Tate Kids (2022) Becoming an Artist: Yayoi Kusama I Tate Kids. 2 August. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG_8vNTAXbY (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
Thelma & Louise: A ‘90s classic that redefined female characters in cinema (2023) Available at: https://www.ottplay.com/news/thelma-louise-a-90s-classic-that-redefined-female-characters-in-cinema/07c81ef752865 (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
These 15 Travel Instagram Accounts Will Make You Pack Your Bag And Leave (2020) Available at: https://www.claimcompass.eu/blog/en/travel-instagram-accounts/ (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
Use URL filtering to for website security (2023) Available at: https://famisafe.wondershare.com/internet-filter/use-url-filtering-to-protect-website-security.html (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
What to Wear Where: Road Trip (2020) Available at: https://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/what-to-wear-where-road-trip/ (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
Yayoi Kusama (1929–) (2021) Available at: https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/reputations/yayoi-kusama-1929 (Accessed: 4 November 2023).
Yes, the construction of digital identities on the web is very diverse. We can virtualise our identities. But be careful to maintain the privacy of others. Cybersecurity is indeed a big concern!