THE INFLUENCE OF THE CURRENT INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT AND THE INTERNET ON THE CREATION OF TEENAGERS’ SELF-IDENTITY

Abstract

The article is devoted to the influence of the information environment and the Internet on the creation of self-esteem and identity of teenagers. It examіnes the proсesses of creating the sо-called «virtual self» which is formed under the influence of social networks, online games, and other Internet resources. The author analyses how the characteristics of the real self are intertwined with the virtual images that teenagers create for themselves online, and how this affects their behavior in real life. The article notes that virtual images often differ from real ones, giving adolescents the opportunity to display traits or play roles that they do not exhibit in everyday life.

According to the results of an empirical study, which analyzed teenagers' self-descriptions, a significant amount of teenagers describe themselves through computer games' characters, subcultures, and other roles associated with virtual realities. This indicates a significant impact of the information environment and the Internet on their self-identification processes. Moreover, the disparity between the real self and the virtual self can lead to conflicts in self-perception, as teenagers struggle to reconcile the different aspects of their identities. The curated personas they present online often emphasize traits like confidence, popularity, or attractiveness, which may not align with their experiences in the physical world. Phenomenon of "social comparison" plays a critical role in this dynamic. Teenagers often judge their skills and worth by the ‘ideal’ lives of their peers that they see on social media platforms. This process can lead to low self-esteem as they compare their real lives to the filtered highlights of other people's lives. The need for validation through likes and comments can create dependencies on external approval, further affecting their self-esteem. It is important to recognize the potential risks associated with over-immersion and exposure of teenagers to the virtual world of the Internet. While the Internet can be a valuable tool for self-expression and exploration, it can also contribute to isolation and disconnection from real relationships.