Komunikator
Vol 14, No 2 (2022)

Multiple Instagram Accounts and the Illusion of Freedom

Muria Endah Sokowati (Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta)
Sefia Manda (Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Nov 2022

Abstract

This article is motivated by the phenomenon of the ownership of multiple accounts on Instagram among teenagers. Previous research mentioned that a second Instagram account is used to express oneself without worrying that the identity of the users will be recognized by the public. Users feel they can upload anything on Instagram’s second accounts without following Instagram rules’ pressure of perfection. The second accounts become a sphere for users to perform their self-authenticity. The researchers inquire how teenagers use and manage their multiple Instagram accounts as a sphere for exploring themselves. Reflecting on the practice of surveillance between users through social media, including Instagram, the researchers argue that second Instagram accounts function as the sphere for pseudo-liberations for its users. Hence, the researchers also question how freedom is experienced in that sphere. The researchers use digital ethnography to get the answers to the questions. As a result, since the self is socially constructed and self-authentic, the researchers found that second accounts are not liberating their users. The constructed self-authenticity has shifted from the control of their parents and other adults; to their peers’ surveillance.

Copyrights © 2022






Journal Info

Abbrev

JKM

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Jurnal Komunikator terbit dua kali setahun pada bulan Mei dan November. Berisi tulisan yang diangkat dari hasil penelitian dan pemikiran konseptual di bidang komunikasi. Penerbit menerima sumbangan tulisan yang belum pernah diterbitkan di media lain. Tulisan dapat langsung di input ke dalam sistem ...