Symbolic Self In Social Media

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As years have passed and after the birth of social media, like MySpace and Facebook communication has changed in many ways. Because of the convenience of social media people don’t talk face to face anymore. People who are actively on social media sharing posts and liking videos tend to be unprofessional and often more rude. However, I try to avoid these actions with minimal inappropriate shares and videos. That is because on most social media platforms, I am friends with people who I want to maintain a positive image which is why I make a conscious decision to withhold that image. The process I use to manage this image based on my environment is symbolic self(Duck and McMahan 2013). In this essay I will discuss more about symbolic self, explain …show more content…

This is true because most people obtain this mentality that they almost gain confidence over social media. They feel they can do, say, and act any way they want. Which I believe is very incorrect. Mainly because it 's on the internet. Anyone can just Google one another, and find a person 's social media. This social media in turn is a representation of that person. This makes me want to seem as professional as possible. That is an example of symbolic self. Due to the fact that I am adjusting my identity to my environment. This is heavily connected to communication in that people change who they are depending on who they are around. A great example is when I am at work. When at work I want to be professional and polite. When with friends I change again. I am more laid back relaxed and less professional. This is important because people are so different depending all on their …show more content…

Which is why this assignment has been very weird for me to write. Now after reading over symbolic self I see how my social media and my identity is influenced by others. My identity on social media is different than who I am due to who sees my social media. As I spoke about a filter this filter is for my identity and for the people who see my posts and shares. On this platform all I show is myself doing average everyday things. For example going to work, going to class. These things are posted because they are appropriate and easy to post and update. This is such a great example of symbolic self because my identity is what I convey it not what it truly is or could be. My social media identity also changes based on what my friends post. Which is an example of symbolic interactionism. This concept is the thought that people are influenced by people which changes their identity and how they see themselves(Duck McMahan). My SnapChat is not my identity at all times of the day. I am a whole lot more lively and exciting than I am going to work or school. When I am with my friends I am more energetic and outgoing. When I am with my family I am more respectful and polite. This is all based on people who I am with and my environment. Not to long ago I was doing the color guard for the Missouri Western State University opening game. On this day I posted pictures of me in my uniform, having fun doing this color guard, and

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