In the previous generations without Internet, people would have to prove that they achieved something by actually doing it so that they would get recognition in some way. In the current generation, with the introduction of social media, it has given people a way of creating a new identity so that they can lie about what they have achieved to get recognition. Social media allows teens to construct an online identity. An online identity that can be the total opposite of what they really are, as students are afraid of what people may say about them. Boyd explains that social media allows teens to quickly switch their personality to speak differently to different people. “The ability to easily switch contexts assumes an ephemeral social situation; this cannot be taken for granted in digital environments” (Boyd 35). This gives an idea that you can take the identity of anyone you wanted. With the ability to control what can be typed or posted in images and texts, it is much easier. She also says, “The imagined audience defines the social context” (Boyd 32). Many teens create their online profiles to reach the audience they have in mind. With the different types of social media platforms, there are different ways “identities” can be shown online. Teens are influenced highly by their friends when it comes to how they do things online, and try to follow the social media trends. With social media expanding every day, a new site or application on phones allows students newer ways to communicate. With new ways to connect, it allows teens to create multiple identities depending on what platform they are on.
