The digital self and online identities Cambridge IGCSE Sociology revision
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In plain words
You now have two selves: the one who gets up in the morning, and the one made of photos, posts and a username. The second one never has a bad hair day, and that is where the trouble starts.
8 things to know
- The digital self is the identity a person presents online, through profiles, photos, posts and usernames.
- Social networks and social media let people share their lives with a chosen audience. Virtual communities are groups that meet and interact online around a shared interest.
- Positive: people can find others like themselves, wherever they live. This matters most to those who feel isolated or different where they are.
- Positive: people can express themselves, try out different sides of their identity, keep in touch across distance, and join campaigns that give them a voice.
- Negative: people feel pressure to present a perfect life. Comparing oneself with other people's edited images can damage self-esteem.
- Negative: cyberbullying follows people home. Fake identities allow deception. What is posted stays as a digital footprint that can harm a person years later.
- Negative: people can end up hearing only views like their own. And those with no access to the internet are left out, which is called the digital divide.
- The digital self may be very different from the offline self. Sociologists ask whether that is freedom or a mask.
Worked example
A shy teenager in a small village joins an online community of young artists. Explain one positive and one negative effect on identity.
- Positive: she finds people who share her interest and value her work. Her identity as an artist grows stronger, and she feels that she belongs.
- Negative: she may compare her work and life with the polished posts of others and feel inadequate.
- Whether the effect is good overall depends on how the community treats its members.
Tips and tricks
- Always give both sides. The syllabus asks for positive and negative impacts, so an answer with only dangers, or only benefits, loses marks.
- Use the terms: digital self, virtual community, digital footprint, digital divide.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
The digital self and online identities: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
What is a virtual community?
Its members may never meet in person.
What is a digital footprint?
It is hard to erase.
Which is a positive impact of social media on identity?
Connection and belonging are the main benefits.
What is the digital divide?
People without access are left out of online life.
Why can constant comparison on social media harm self-esteem?Stretch
The comparison is unfair from the start.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 10 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
The digital self and online identities
Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 · 10 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What is meant by the term "digital self"?[2]
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The identity that a person creates and presents online, for example through profiles and posts.
Describe two positive impacts of social media on identity.[4]
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Any two, each described: people can connect with others who share their interests or experiences; people can express themselves and explore different sides of their identity; contact with family and friends is kept up across distance; people can join campaigns and have a voice.
Explain two negative impacts of social media on identity.[4]
Show answerHide answer
Any two, each explained: pressure to appear perfect, and comparison with others, can lower self-esteem; cyberbullying can damage confidence and well-being; a digital footprint can harm reputation later; fake profiles mean that people can be deceived.
Answers: The digital self and online identities
- 1. The identity that a person creates and presents online, for example through profiles and posts.
- 2. Any two, each described: people can connect with others who share their interests or experiences; people can express themselves and explore different sides of their identity; contact with family and friends is kept up across distance; people can join campaigns and have a voice.
- 3. Any two, each explained: pressure to appear perfect, and comparison with others, can lower self-esteem; cyberbullying can damage confidence and well-being; a digital footprint can harm reputation later; fake profiles mean that people can be deceived.