<![CDATA[Background: Population density and the scarcity of physical play areas compel teenagers to seek alternative social spaces through digital platforms. In this context, Roblox functions not merely as an entertainment medium, but has evolved into a virtual interaction space that enables adolescents to construct and express their social identities.Aims: This study aims to analyze the formation of virtual social identities among teenage Roblox players in Pekojan Village, West Jakarta, focusing on the role of Collective Compensatory Identity in responding to the limitations of social space in the physical environment.Methods: The study employs a qualitative approach through the framework of Tajfel and Turner’s Social Identity Theory, alongside the concepts of player embodiment and spatial presence. The analysis centers on teenagers' experiences in utilizing avatars, interacting with other players, and forming group identities within the virtual space of Roblox.Results: The findings demonstrate that Roblox functions as a virtual social space that compensates for the limitations of physical play areas. The formation of virtual social identity manifests through three primary dimensions: socio-spatial compensation, the establishment of subcultural solidarity through the use of distinct slang and emotes, and tactical adaptation via account adjustments to navigate the platform’s age-restriction regulations.Conclusion: The study concludes that Roblox serves not merely as a gaming space, but as an alternative environment for adolescents to construct identity, solidarity, and a sense of belonging. A Collective Compensatory Identity is forged through the interplay of avatar representation, social interaction, and adaptive strategies responding to both physical spatial constraints and platform rules.]]>
