Who Are We?: Identity in a Social Media Age

Social media have become a normative part of culture, with both positive and negative implications. More recently, studies demonstrate that social media may contribute to mental health issues. This essay seeks to understand this phenomenon through the lens of self-objectification and self-comparison...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Bradman, Taylor J. (Author) ; Gustafson, David M. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Institute for Interdisciplinary Research 2021
In: Journal of interdisciplinary studies
Year: 2021, Volume: 33, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 105-122
Further subjects:B Friendship
B Social media
B Biblical Theology
B Mental Health
B Culture
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:Social media have become a normative part of culture, with both positive and negative implications. More recently, studies demonstrate that social media may contribute to mental health issues. This essay seeks to understand this phenomenon through the lens of self-objectification and self-comparison theories concerning why some who use social media to gain the approval of others as the foundation for their identity still end up unhappy after receiving such approval. The essay proposes that people who engage in this behavior remain unhappy because they do not understand their status as an imagebearer of God, and how images are to function in society. A sound understanding of images is essential. The essay engages Biblical theology as a helpful guide to demonstrate that social identities are to be cultivated and formed through friendship. Friendships help shape who we are as human beings and build a sense of belonging through the organic formation of a community.
ISSN:2766-0508
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of interdisciplinary studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.5840/jis2021331/26