Instagram and Millennials’ identity : Perceived ideal image on Instagram in relation to perceived real identity

Abstract: Majority of millennials are daily users of Instagram and in conjunction with previous studies on Instagram displaying negative effects on psychological well-being, how individuals perceive their identity in relation to their Instagram use is interesting as it could be a part of how their psychological wellbeing is affected through use. Most previous research on Instagram and psychological well-being are general and based on quantitative methods. Descriptive findings on how individuals relate to their Instagram in terms of image or identity is not yet explored. The research question of this paper is therefore to investigate if there exists a perceived ideal image on Instagram and if individuals separate their Instagram image from their perceived real identities. Semi-structured interviews with 11 participants categorized through thematic analysis indicate a perceived ideal image on Instagram exists, and majority of participants cannot separate their Instagram image from their perceived real identity. It is assumed through findings that the level of awareness when applying one’s image or identity during Instagram use could indicate how risky it is for individuals to be affected negatively on their psychological well-being during usage. Increasing awareness of how one identify him- or herself based on his or her image or perceived real self could potentially decrease the risk of negative social comparison and self-discrepancy in interaction with one’s Instagram use. Findings showed there exists a perceived ideal image on Instagram while there is no coherent perception among participants in how they separate their perceived image from their perceived real identity. Future research could investigate whether this ’identity incongruence’ while using Instagram is part of a new way of constructing one’ identity in a world where virtual and real no longer has clear borders.