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According to psychoanalyst Erik Erikson (1902-1994), during the fifth stage of human development – adolescent through young adult years – we struggle with identity issues. This is the time when we develop a sense of who we are, i.e., our self-image. In many cases it becomes “self-images.”
New Problems
Confused teens are faced with many new problems. They have new feelings, new attitudes, new interests and a new body. They can often become confused trying out different “selves” in different situations. Perhaps acting out one self at home and another at school or work. In today’s light speed internet environment, a person could invent a different self online or perhaps an entirely different set of online selves. It is possible to have a different self for each social media account. With each new screen name comes a new splintered self.
For young people, especially teenagers, identity confusion can become a serious problem and can lead to an “identity crisis,” a term coined by Erikson.
False Sense of Safety
Social media and online anonymity provides a misguided sense of safety, a basic need. Being “liked” or befriended builds this new identity’s self-esteem, fulfilling another basic need. But this is just the beginning. The social network is full of pleasures and rewards. Soon, friends of friends are “liking” and befriending the new self. The new identity feels part of a new, exciting community, providing yet another basic need plus removing any feelings of loneliness. This is the real reason the person joined the site in the first place, instilling more confidence in themselves for making such a good decision.
Is Sharing Caring?
When we study the Hierarchy of Needs pyramid created by ground-breaking psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), we see the foundation levels and the basic human needs of safety, love, belongingness and self-esteem. In 1943 Maslow said “to feel both necessary and good about ourselves, we need achievements (likes) as well as respect from others.” For a while, the new self gets drunk on “likes” and acceptance. In no time at all, the new self is sharing all sorts of self-disclosures.
This willingness to share large portions of private information with “friends” who are total strangers in reality, is troubling to say the least. A recent study of children and teens 11 to 16 reported that 50 percent felt easier to be themselves on the internet than with people they deal with face-to-face. Does this mean their online self is real but their real self isn’t? No wonder this development stage is confused.
Problems Later in Life
Erikson explained the struggle that teens and young adults face and stated “when successfully negotiated, this stage ensures a unified sense of self, but problems here can lead to an identity crisis and further problems later in life.”
The fact that so many teens are negotiating this critical psychosocial development stage online with make-believe “friends” thereby avoiding painful real life experiences can only result in this stage to not develop fully. To miss learning to navigate real life issues in this important stage could affect proper development in the next stages resulting in intimacy problems, isolation, loneliness, relationship problems even depression.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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