Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study explores the communication phenomenon of online identity management on the social network site Facebook.Using Goffman's work on identity (1959) and McCornack's Information Management Theory (1992) as a framework, college student's responses (N = 143) on a 94-item survey about Facebook use were analyzed to examine online identity management and information manipulation.Quantitative study results highlight that high Facebook users are conscious of a need to manage their online identity.Several aspects of Facebook use were important, in particular, connectivity with others, maintaining relationships, promoting a positive image, manipulation of negative image perceptions, and using Facebook to perform an online identity.Also, while low users reported less use and concern with managing an online identity on the quantitative measures--low users' open-ended responses contradicted these assertions.Overall, three qualitative themes from open-ended responses help explain several reasons why, and how, both high and low users in this sample manage an online identity on Facebook: 1) Online Social Attractiveness (i.e., promotion of a positive image online), 2) Online Social Norm Conformity (i.e., attempts to avoid a negative online image), and 3) use of Online Identity Manipulation as a strategy for filtering information to actively manage one's online identity.Both high and low Facebook users reported promotion of a positive online identity as their primary concern.
Author: Amber N Lewis
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2731802372