The Crisis and Reconstruction of Youth Identity in the Social Media Era

Authors

  • Aaiming Mai Zhengzhou Business University
  • Wen Sun Zhengzhou Business University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/chst.v2i3.636

Keywords:

Social Media, Youth, Identity

Abstract

With the rapid development of social media, the identity process of youth groups presents unprecedented complexity and dynamics. Social media not only provides youth with a platform for multicultural communication, self-expression and public participation, but also brings problems such as information overload, cognitive solidification, and conflict between virtual and real identities, which leads some youth into identity crisis. This paper focuses on the performance of youth identity crisis, crisis and its reconstruction path in the context of social media. The study concludes that social media is a catalyst for identity crisis and also an important space for reconstruction. Solving the crisis requires the concerted efforts of individuals, society and platforms, including improving media literacy, building healthy online communities and optimising algorithmic mechanisms. The research in this paper provides theoretical references and practical insights for the healthy socialisation of youth groups and cyberspace governance.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Xu, Unique. (2025). Identity Crisis and Reconstruction of Youth's WeChat Friend Circle. New Media Research,11(12),73-78+88.

Ogidi, J. D. (2015). Social media as a source of self-identity formation: challenges and opportunities for youth ministry. unpublished master's thesis]. University of Stellenbosch.

Liu, Y., & Lei, K. (2025). Development and validity test of impression management efficacy scale based on self-presentation behaviour of Chinese youth on social media. Frontiers in psychology, 16, 1494083. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1494083

Avci, H., Baams, L., & Kretschmer, T. (2024). A systematic review of social media use and adolescent identity development. Adolescent Research Review, 1-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-024-00251-1

Downloads

How to Cite

Mai, A., & Sun, W. (2025). The Crisis and Reconstruction of Youth Identity in the Social Media Era. Critical Humanistic Social Theory, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.62177/chst.v2i3.636

Issue

Section

Articles