TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIAL IDENTITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Abstract

Social identity, as a construct formed by individuals and society, has undergone significant changes in the digital era. The central role of social media has become a major factor in this transformation, providing individuals with the opportunity to express themselves and form social identities independently. This study uses a literature study method with a qualitative approach to analyze the role of social media in changing social identities. The results show that social media provides a space for free expression, allows interaction across backgrounds, and opens up opportunities for the formation of new communities and social identities. In conclusion, social media has a significant contribution to changing social identities in the digital era, providing individuals with space for self-expression and the formation of independent identities.