Not too long ago in class, we spoke about identity and
authenticity. When reading Personal Connections in the Digital Age by Nancy
Baym, she explains the definition of identity “ …Identities are always social.
They are displayed and reshaped through interaction” (p. 118). This was
interesting to read about our identities, how they change, and all the
different types.
While
looking through articles to talk about fake accounts and identities on social
media I came across an interesting Fox News article. The Fox News article is
called Teens are creating fake identities on Instagram called Finstas. Should we worry? by John Brandon. Initially, when I saw the article’s name I was interested because I
never thought that Finstas could be seen as Fake identities. In class, earlier
this semester in class we spoke about how we have different personas/identities
on all the different social media platforms. This is because we cater to who is
following us on every different platform like I would make posts on Facebook
for my family about how I am doing in school, and then on my Instagram, I would
post pictures geared more towards my friends.
John
Brandon who wrote the Fox News article explained why teenagers create Finsta’s
“They experiment with alternate identities- for example acting like a jock and
posting about their accomplishments before anyone else knows. Or they post
about a new passion for screamo rock, but they are not ready to let everyone
else know”. This statement was different from what I expected because all of my
friends who have a Finsta use it to post about their life for their close
friends in the most authentic way. Rather than their real Instagram where they
wouldn’t post something like that.
I’m not
sure if this is a new wave from the younger generations that are using Finsta’s
this way, but this isn’t what my friends use it for. Brandon also states that
it could become a “much more serious problem on how teens perceive reality”. I
don’t see it becoming a problem to be completely honest. I think that teenagers
and young adults are using this platform to be more authentic online. Like I
stated before identities change, and we have different personas for every situation
we are in whether it is online or in real life. I don’t think it is detrimental
to teenagers or anyone who has one. Unless they are using it as a fake account
with a fake identity. Do you think that having Finsta’s are detrimental to
teens? How do you use your Finsta? Do you think it is a good way to share more
authentic posts with your close friends?
After reading this post my first reaction was to figure out how old John Brandon is. I googled him and could not find a specific age but found his linkedin that revealed a grey beard, a receiving hairline and some set in wrinkles. I say that not to judge poor John Brandon, but to say that he is definitely well passed the age that he would have likely came across many finstas before. I would agree that the finstas that I follow are just highlights on someones life that they blast out to some of their closest friends. They are private so they can be a little bit explicit in their life details. They are often pictures that have nothing to do with anything and are just to post the update. Seems as though John Brandon was given some specific examples to define the fake instagrams to the middle aged and older crowd.
ReplyDeleteI think that this Fox News writer has an odd perception of our use of the internet. I don't think that posting spontaneous updates about ourselves is specific to Finstas at all, I think that content is appropriate on any platform. For example, seeing "First aroma Joe's coffee!" with a picture of a coffee and pastry would make sense on SnapChat, Instagram, and even a Finsta if the person felt it belonged there. I wonder what me means when he says that we post things that we are "not ready to let everyone know" on our Finstas. If we're posting it for our closest friends to see, doesn't that signify that we are ready and already are talking about it? It doesn't make sense for me to not feel ready to tell my friends that my new favorite flavor of ice cream is blueberry bacon, and then post a picture of the empty pint on my Finsta. When my friend comments on it, am I then embarrassed or saddened that she knows? I don't understand his phrasing and I'm blaming it on the fact that he writes for Fox News.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have a finsta and looking back on it now, I wish I never made one in the first place. They are entertaining to people, when they see your personal Instagram posts but some of the posts that I have posted are embarrassing. I’ve treated my finsta as a diary the last 4 years. I agree with the Fox News writer that fake instagrams are people trying to incorporate a new identity for themselves. Finstas are made to show your true self and should be an account to express anything how your feeling. Yes it could become a issue with teens not realizing reality but I personally don’t think I have this problem. I use my finsta as an escape from reality if anything, to express how I feel and to express my emotions.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I really enjoyed this blog because I can relate to it a lot. Finsta is something that all my friends and I have. I believe, yes finsta's are used for just your closest of friends. You don't let just anyone follow your finsta. Personally, on my finsta I have about 30 followers, because I have about 30 people who I care to share somethings with. On my finsta I post about my happiest moments, saddest moments, and funniest moments. Finsta is a place where I am most myself because all my followers are people I feel like I can be myself around. Although, I don't really use finsta anymore because I now have a private story on Snapchat, it is pretty much the same thing. I have a very select group of people who I share moments with. I do not believe that finstas are detrimental to teens because its a place they can put anything they want.
ReplyDelete