Social Media and Identity Formation: Ethical Implications for Nepalese Students
摘要
In contemporary times, digital platforms have become an integral part of the lives of adolescents, profoundly influencing their identity formation and self-expression. Social Media is the most important digital forum where adolescents and youth passionately engage. Meanwhile, the ethical implications of social media have become crucial worldwide. This research investigates the intricate relationship between social media as digital platforms and student identity development, exploring how these platforms shape and reflect young people’s self-perceptions, social connections, and personal narratives. Utilizing qualitative research methods, the study aims to uncover the multifaceted ways in which digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (now X), etc., influence student identity formation, considering both the positive and potential negative implications. This research applies the knowledge framework of Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis from the book Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1959). It will examine the ethical considerations surrounding social media use among adolescents, more particularly University students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, addressing issues related to their engagement in social media platforms, awareness of ethical considerations, privacy, cyberbullying, and the impact of curated online personas on self-esteem and mental health. By understanding the complex interplay between social media and student identity, this study seeks to provide insights for educators, parents, and policymakers in fostering a responsible and ethical approach to social media use in educational settings.