Online identity is something that most of the youth have been in a sense, encapsulated by. Today, we see millions of online profiles that compete against one another to be better. We also observe competition no longer based on who’s got the highest grades, or who is the better athlete or sportsman.
We see the very same people being judged on the basis of, who’s got the most number of likes on Facebook & Instagram, Re-tweets on Twitter and Views on Youtube. Also influenced by factors such as race, ethnicity, nationality and religion (De Anda and Riddel, 1991). Here is where, this person identifies, him/herself as an influencer. This influencer has set a huge example. While one can only perceive this is two ways negatively or positively.
Whilst the influencer’s life looks incredibly attractive images, there might be the possibility that social media and reality don’t coincide. However, it is make-belief that depicts that a person is living a certain style or lifestyle based on what he/she shows.
Many a times we choose to be who cannot be or try to copy our idols and role models. In my face, considering how much I love football, You may know by now, after you read my about me on the about author page that, I happen to follow many footballers closely through their social media handles such as twitter and Instagram.
When I open the Instagram page of Cristiano Ronaldo and see his 193million followers, obviously I would be foolish to feel bad about myself for having just a few 100 followers. On the contrary, I look at Cristiano as not just an influencer and an athlete but also as a great role mode that I aspire to be like someday.
Now the question arises. Have you ever wondered if an influencer is affected by his/her identity online? This is a simple rather straight forward answer. Yes of course they are influenced by all the likes they get, the comments they read and also mass numbers of crowd they are exposed to (Barker, 2009). Athletes/ famous influencers are no doubt still humans. Hence, it is common for any and every human to make mistakes. There are mistakes done in personal life and mistakes done online. However, when you are famous, you are bound to gain attention and exposure from the people around you. You are also bound to face criticism and even hate when these influencers make a mistake. However, we cannot always say that the case can be vice-versa. Because of this phenomenon, athletes go through a lot of psychological issues that also affect their professional careers.
For example, when we consider the case of Neymar Jr, a great Brazilian football player who has been celebrated by millions for his achievements in football and praised for his skills is also one of the highest paid and rated influencer on social media with over 129 million followers on Instagram. He has over the years received several loads of criticism from his very own fans. He’ gained comments on his lifestyle, by being called a kid for playing video games and childish for always being a happy and positive soul.
People also criticised his ego as a football player since his first few games at the French club PSG. After all this Neymar, is a true legend for have taken all criticism and negative feedback and turned it into a motivational booster to up his game and redeems his respect amongst his fans with simple gestures and humbleness (Wood, 2019). This is again a great example for the younger generation to use negativity and turn it into a positive reinforcement in becoming a better individual.
I too, have had to learn it the hard way by being rejected, criticised and even laughed at. While this may hurt and inflict mental stress, I’ve always made it a point to remember my idols and how they deal with their social identity to create a positive environment around them. I believe that, some words are meant to heard on one ear and let go through the other. Especially when it is negative and does not help replicate on the errors made. We all make mistakes. But when we make horrendous mistakes online, it is never forgotten. When using the social mediums, it is hence necessary to be careful when relaying your thoughts, opinions or even aspects of your private life publicly. Unless of course, such criticism does not influence you.
Bibliography:
Barker, V. (2009). Older Adolescents’ Motivations for Social Network Site Use: The Influence of Gender, Group Identity, and Collective Self-Esteem. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 12(2), pp.209-213.
De Anda, D. and Riddel, V. (1991). Ethnic Identity, Self-Esteem, and Interpersonal Relationships Among Multiethnic Adolescents. Journal of Multicultural Social Work, 1(2), pp.83-98.
Wood, D. (2019). Neymar praised for giving Cavani the chance to score from the spot. [online] Mail Online. Available at: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7783325/Neymar-gifts-Edinson-Cavani-spot-kick-Champions-League-clash-two-years-PENALTY-BUST-UP.html#i-c480cc144f61a0fd [Accessed 14 Dec. 2019].
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