The Fragmented Self: Having Multiple Accounts in Instagram Usage Practice among Indonesian Youth

https://doi.org/10.22146/jmki.58459

Mashita Phitaloka Fandia Purwaningtyas(1*), Desti Ayu Alicya(2)

(1) Universitas Gadjah Mada
(2) Universitas Gadjah Mada
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


The usage of social media has become a part of youth’s life in this digital era. Particularly in Indonesia, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms among youth. In the practice of Instagram usage, apparently a person could manage more than just one account, creating phenomenon known as ‘real Instagram account’ and ‘fake Instagram account’. Hence this form of practice is raising question in regards to the identity presented by users in those accounts. This paper aims to analyze the practice of having multiple accounts in Instagram platform, focusing on how the self-presentation of users presented and why such presentation displayed, specifically in the contestation between the concept of ‘real’ and ‘fake’. Scope of the study in this research covers the media psychology of interconnection between self and social media platform. Research was conducted by mixed-method of new ethnography and virtual ethnography. Expected findings in this research include the analysis of fragmented self in Instagram multiple accounts, focusing in the issue of how the concept of ‘real’ and ‘fake’ are being defined by users, and the aspects behind such understandings. Apparently, in the social media platform as Instagram, youth is in search for a sense of freedom and authenticity, where they could be free in expressing themselves. Thus, the motivation of having multiple accounts. However, findings in this research also indicate that certain standards have been created in the Instagram, that at some point to some extent have conditioned users to present themselves in certain ways.

Keywords


digital culture, self-presentation, identity, Instagram, media psychology



References

Ahadzadeh, A. S., Sharif, S. P., & Ong, F. S. (2017). Self-schema and self-discrepancy mediate the influence of Instagram usage on body image satisfaction among youth. Computers in Human Behavior, 68, 8-16.

Caldeira, S. P. (2016). Identities in flux: An analysis to photographic self-representation on Instagram. Observatorio (OBS*), 10(3), 135-158.

Capurro, Rafael, Michael Eldred, & Daniel Nagel. (2013). Digital Whoness: Identity, Privacy and Freedom in the Cyberworld. Frankfurt: Ontos Verlag.

Cheung, T. T. (2014). A study on motives, usage, self-presentation and number of followers on instagram.Discovery – SS Student E-Journal, Vol. 3, 2014, 1-35

Cover, Rob. (2016). Digital Identities: Creating and Communicating the Online Self. Oxford: Academic Press.

Davis, J. (2016). Identity theory in a digital age. New Directions in Identity Theory and Research, 137-164. DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190457532.003.0006

Dijck, J. (2013). The culture of connectivity: A critical history of social media. New York: Oxford University Press.

Feltman, C.E., & Szymanski, D.M. (2018). Instagram use and self-objectification: The roles of internalization, comparison, appearance commentary, and feminism. Sex Roles, 78(5-6), 311-324.

Fung IC-H, Blankenship EB, Ahweyevu JO, et al. (2020). Public health implications ofimage-based social media: A systematic review of Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr,and Flickr. The Permanente Journal, 24:18.307. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18.307

Goldenfein, Jake. (2013). Police Photography and Privacy: Identity, Stigma and Reasonable Expectation. University of New South Wales Law Journal, Vol. 36, No. 1, 2013. Retrieved from SSRN: https://ssrn.com/3044865

Gretzel, U. (2017). #travelselfie: a netnographic study of travel identity communicated via Instagram. In Performing cultural tourism (pp. 115-127). Routledge.

Herbig, A., Herrmann. A.F. & Tyma, A.W. (eds.). (2015). Beyond New Media: Discourse and Critique in a Polymediated Age. London: Lexington Books.

Hine, C. (2000). Virtual ethnography. London: SAGE Publications.

Hong, S., Jahng, M.R., Lee, N., & Wise, K.R. (2020). Do you filter who you are?: Excessive self-presentation, social cues, and user evaluations of Instagram selfies. Computers in Human Behavior, 104, 106159.

Hootsuite & We Are Social. (2020). Indonesia Digital 2020 [Data file]. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/DataReportal/digital-2020-indonesia-january-2020-v01?from_action=save

Horowitz, M.J. (2012). Self-identity theory and research methods. Journal of Research Practice, 8(2), Article M14.

Jackson, C. A., & Luchner, A. F. (2018). Self-presentation mediates the relationship between self-criticism and emotional response to Instagram feedback. Personality and Individual Differences, 133, 1-6.

Lovink, G. (2011). Networks without a cause: A critique of social media (p. 24). Cambridge: Polity.

Marcella-Hood, M. (2020). Instagram versus reality: the design and use of self-curated photo elicitation in a study exploring the construction of Scottish identity amongst personal style influencers on Instagram. Qualitative Research, 1468794120934404.

Matley, D. (2018). This is NOT a# humblebrag, this is just a# brag: The pragmatics of self-praise, hashtags and politeness in Instagram posts. Discourse, context & media, 22, 30-38.

Newman, M.J. (2015). Image and identity: Media literacy for young adult Instagram users. Visual Inquiry, 4(3), 221-227.

O'Donnell, N.H. (2018). Storied lives on Instagram: Factors associated with the need for personal-visual identity. Visual Communication Quarterly, 25(3), 131-142.

Parmelee, J.H., & Roman, N. (2020). Insta-echoes: Selective exposure and selective avoidance on Instagram. Telematics and Informatics, 101432.https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TELE.2020.101432

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon. MCB University Press, Vol. 9 No. 5, October 2001, pp. 1-6. DOI: 10.1108/ 10748120110424816

Purwaningtyas, M.P.F. (2019). Privacy and social media: Defining privacy in the usage of Path. KnE Social Sciences, 217-235. DOI: 10.18502/kss.v3i20.4938

Saukko, P. (2003). Doing research in cultural studies: An introduction to classical and new methodological approaches. London: SAGE Publications.

Sheldon, P., & Bryant, K. (2016). Instagram: Motives for its use and relationship to narcissism and contextual age. Computers in human Behavior, 58, 89-97.

Slater, A., Varsani, N., & Diedrichs, P.C. (2017). #fitspo or #loveyourself? The impact of fitspiration and self-compassion Instagram images on women’s body image, self-compassion, and mood. Body Image, 22, 87-96.

Sunstein, C.R. (2001). Echo chambers: Bush v. Gore, impeachment, and beyond. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Takahashi, T. (2016). Creating the self in the digital age. The Good Life in Asia’s Digital 21st Century, pp. 44–50. Hong Kong: Digital Asia Hub.

Trepte, S. & Reinecke, L. (eds.). (2011). Privacy online: Perspective on privacy and self-disclosure in the social web. New York: Springer.

Trepte, S. & Reinecke, L. (2012). The reciprocal effects of social network site use and the disposition for self-disclosure: A longitudinal study. Computers in Human Behavior. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2012.10.002.

Turner, P.G., & Lefevre, C.E. (2017). Instagram use is linked to increased symptoms of orthorexia nervosa. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 22(2), 277-284.

Van Zoonen, L. (2013). From identity to identification: fixating the fragmented self. Media, Culture & Society, 35(1), 44-51.

Wiederhold, B. (2018). The tenuous relationship between Instagram and teen self-identity. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(4), 215-216. DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2018.29108.bkw



DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/jmki.58459

Article Metrics

Abstract views : 6718 | views : 4323

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2020 Jurnal Media dan Komunikasi Indonesia



             

 


   Jurnal Media dan Komunikasi Indonesia (Online ISSN 2721-396X) is published by the Department of Communication Science (DIKOM), Faculty of Social Science and Political Science (FISIPOL), Gadjah Mada University 

 

View My Stats