'"When so much of your identity is on display to a public audience, the dividing line between being true to yourself and responding to the expectations of others can get fuzzy."

 

It was common for individuals to share stories about the struggles they had had, and were sometimes still having, to be true to self.  This struggle was often treated as a marker of authenticity, honesty, and hard-won integrity. (p.80)

Remaining authentic to self is a personal challenge, especially given the prevalence of online pressures toward self improvement and even perfectionism. When so much of your identity is on display to a public audience, the dividing line between being true to your

self and responding to the expectations of others can get fuzzy. As a high school student put it, “Your online reputation is like a trailer to your movie—am I living for me or my audience?” (p. 80)

Katz, R., Ogilvie, S., Shaw, J., & Woodhead, L. (2022). Gen Z, Explained: The Art of Living in a Digital Age. University of Chicago Press. https://books.google.com/books?id=sd-SEAAAQBAJ