A Thematic Analysis of Everyday Self-Disclosure and Social Identity Negotiation in Online Social Interactions among Male Adolescents

Abstract

The present research examines male adolescents and pursues research questions about their constructing of social identity and self-disclosure in their daily life that occurs within social media sites. Applying thematic analysis on individual interviews, the following significant themes were identified as strategic sharing of content, maintenance of emotional boundaries, social validation, and identity expression influenced by the norms across platforms. The results indicate that self-disclosure is purposeful and influenced by peer responses, personal morals and aesthetic ideals as well as a general identity negotiation that takes place on and in digital contexts. This study offers an understanding of how social media can be used as the means through which adolescents can perform, express, and control their emerging identities.