DIGITAL EXPECTATIONS VS LIFE REALITY IDENTITY CRISIS IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL
Keywords:
Digital Identity, Social Media, Identity Crisis, Self-Presentation, Psychological Well-BeingAbstract
In an era dominated by social media, identity formation has become increasingly complex and fragmented. This systematic literature review explores how platforms like Instagram and TikTok influence users’ self-presentation and contribute to the widening gap between curated digital personas and offline realities. Drawing from 45 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025, the review identifies three core themes: the pressures of digital identity curation across multiple platforms, the psychological consequences of validation-seeking behavior, and the mental health impacts stemming from the disconnect between digital expectations and authentic self- concept. Using PRISMA methodology and bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer, the study highlights the role of social comparison, platform-specific performance expectations, and algorithmic visibility in shaping identity-related processes—particularly among adolescents and young adults. The findings underscore both the opportunities and risks inherent in social media engagement, calling for interventions that foster digital literacy, authentic self-expression, and psychological resilience in the face of performative online culture.
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