The Impact of Online Identity Conflict on Self-perception and Social Anxiety

Abstract

Individuals present different identities on various online platforms, and when these identities conflict, it will cause online identity conflict. This conflict reduces the clarity of an individual’s self-concept, thereby impairing selfperception and elevating social anxiety, with particularly notable impacts on adolescents, whose self-perception remains underdeveloped.. This paper summarizes research on the impact of online identity conflict on self-perception and social anxiety. This paper constructs a theoretical framework based on impression management theory and self-concept clarity theory, emphasizing that platforms’ different functions, audience diversity, and cultural factors all influence online identity conflict. This paper also suggests that through the efforts of individuals, educators, and online platforms, more educational initiatives that promote authentic self-expression can be developed, and measures can be taken to reduce the pressure on platforms to express identity.