Exploring The Role of Online Identity on Self Identity Among Young Adults in Malaysia

Abstract

In today’s networked society, social media has become a key platform for identity performance, affecting how individuals perceive and present themselves. To explore the influence of online identity on self-identity among Malaysian young adults, 13 participants aged 18 to 34 were interviewed after being recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. The thematic analysis revealed that these young adults perceived their online identity as a curated form of identity, highlighting selective authenticity and curated positivity while concealing unfavourable aspects of themselves. The findings also show that the challenges faced in managing online identities include identity conflict, cultural constraints and misinterpretation within Malaysia’s multicultural context. Furthermore, online identity was found to profoundly impacts self-identity revealing two contradictory outcomes, namely entrapment of self-identity in online validation, where self-worth becomes inseparable from online feedback, and empowerment through online expression that boosting confidence. This research offers a culturally embedded understanding of how cyberspace shapes self-perception among Malaysian young adults. It advances existing digital identity scholarship and provides valuable insights for policymakers, mental health experts, social media designers and educators in promoting safer and more authentic online spaces.