DIGITAL BELONGING AND THE RECONFIGURATION OF YOUTH IDENTITY IN NETWORKED SOCIETIES

Abstract

The use of digital platforms has altered young people's strategies for negotiating and defining personal identity in networked societies, their strategies for constructing relationship, and strategies for seeking recognition. The study analysed the relationship between digital belonging and youth self-expression, community attachment, peer recognition and youth's online and offline identity. It was selected because it is descriptive and exploratory in nature and structured questionnaires were designed to gather the data from the frequent users of the social media, messaging groups, gaming networks and online community ranging from age 18-29, a total of 200 respondents were used. The findings showed links between the frequency of digital participation and reconfiguration of identity; freedom of expression and confidence in expressing opinions. The majority of participants felt that online communities helped them to build their social connections and gain cultural awareness, while quite a few faced pressures in regard to keeping socially acceptable online profiles. The differences were greatest online compared with offline in the areas of communication style, political expression, self-confidence and interests. Digital belonging therefore was a social process that was supportive and challenging. The findings showed that digital literacy, privacy awareness, inclusive online communities, responsible online platform use (not judging, excluding, and comparing oneself to others), and opportunities for young people to participate, be recognized, and explore identity in other social and cultural contexts worldwide are important.