Identification’ refers to the recognition of an individual based on characteristics, and ‘identity’ means what that individual is or what characteristics they possess. Before social media, our identity and identification with the world were entangled as one. However, the advent of social media led to the separation of these two terms. Individuals got the chance to break the barriers and separate their identity and identification from the world.
History of Identification
The concept of an “ID” or identification dates back to the time of Babylon. The census that is still used today was a method developed in the Babylonian Empire as a way to identify how many people there were using their names and genders. This system evolved into birth certificates, land deeds, and citizenship records during the time of the Roman Empire. When King Henry V ascended the throne, he introduced a new concept, a new form of identification: the passport. This document established an identity for an individual, indicating that they are under the authority and protection of the King. Later on, this evolution continued, and today we have many forms of identification: passports, ID Cards, licences, etc. If you look at it, you will notice all of these identities are state-crafted. Up until recent times, your “identity” was what your documents stated you were: name, sex, age, and status.
Identity That You Want to Create
With the advent of social media, individuals began to broaden their perspectives and establish connections with the global community. This global connection with other people created a need for individuals to develop new identities. Not everyone wants to be out there on the web with their real names and sensitive information. Chatrooms prominently featured many users creating their own identities, including who they were, their likes and dislikes, and what made them unique individuals.
The year 2000 was the year of advancement; the world was rapidly shifting towards globalisation, the internet, iPhones, and most importantly, the release of Facebook. When the app was launched, it took the market by storm. What was better than being able to upload not only text but videos and images too? People started to build their own profiles; from the perspective of a user, they were just signing up and connecting with others. However, from the perspective of an observer, they were creating their own identities. They consider how they want to be perceived by others, how they wish to be pursued, and how they desire the world to recognise them.
Today, a large number of people are using social media and creating their own identities for the world to see. Depending on the generation, a specific platform is popular among a different age group. There are several reasons that social media is a huge catalyst in this change of individual identity.
Freedom of Expression
On social media, you will observe that everyone has the freedom to express their thoughts. Trends like “we listen and we don’t judge”, “hear me out”, etc., let individuals post their likes, dislikes, and all the events that happened or are happening in their lives. The feeling itself is freeing, that one can express oneself without the fear of judgement that one would otherwise face in the offline world.
One person’s freedom of expression is another person’s opportunity to learn how others around them perceive the world. According to the medium, “Others’ perspectives were once narrow, unaware of different cultures and lifestyles. They were stuck in their comfort zone. Social media changed that by exposing them to new ideas and perspectives. It showed them the beauty of the world, challenged their assumptions, and inspired them to learn and explore.”
Connect with like-minded people.
Social media is also a place where you can find your community online. The concept of having a public account, joining groups, and even following the people you like traces back to one thing: finding your kind of people. Although they may not share your thoughts or perspectives, they will likely have similar feelings about the specific things you like or dislike. The comfort that you have found the people who think the same as you is always unmatched.
Shaping Individual Identity
Social media has a crucial role in shaping how you perceive yourself and the way you form your opinions about different things. On one hand, it may romanticise things that shouldn’t be romanticised about you in the name of self-love, but on the other side of the positive spectrum, it may help you overcome a lot of problems. Studies from Florida Atlantic University indicate that social media has fostered stronger bonds and increased the formation of friendships and relationships. The media has also been able to link like-minded individuals by offering platforms to interact and show off creativity and intelligence. Additionally, for those who struggle with socialisation, social networks provide a relatively easy way to express themselves and grow social skills and find out who they are.”
We always bash the phenomenon of FOMO, or Fear Of Missing Out, caused by social media, but on the other hand, it also has a positive effect. Studies conducted showed that FOMO contributed greatly to letting people battle their feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and even sleep problems.
Conclusion
Social Media has greatly contributed to the revolution of redefining individual identity. Through studies conducted and individual opinions on how social media reshapes or even impacts your individual identity, the answers are positive. However, the positive impact stems from the content you consume and the people you interact with on these apps.
Humans are like echo chambers; what they consume through their senses echoes not only in their brain, but the impact of it is also seen physically. Social media has and will continue to play a significant role in shaping individual identity.