How Social Networks Change Self-Presentation

Gonzales, Amy L., and Jeffrey T. Hancock. "Mirror, Mirror on my Facebook Wall: Effects of Exposure to Facebook on Self-Esteem." CyberPsychology, Behavior & Social Networking 14.1/2 (2011): 79-83. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 24 Apr. 2011.

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In this article, authors Amy Gonzales and Jeffrey Hancock present the question, “What effect does Facebook and other social networking sites have on an individuals self esteem?” The authors did test to prove their points they found. What they found was that, “the Internet has not created new motivation for self-presentation, but provides new tools to implement such motives.” Meaning Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking tools have aided the users in self-presentation. Gonzales and Hancock also believe that the tools the Internet provides an individual new access to themselves. They also go on to say that the Internet helps, “reconsider previously understood psychological processes,” through photos, status changes, and comments on profiles. The authors of this article also believe that the social networking sites have the potential to alter social processes that are presented in our day-to-day lives today.

The authors’ point of view in this article is useful to readers because it shows them how social networking sites on the Internet today can have an affect on not only our lives, but everyone else’s as a whole. The authors believe that Facebook and Twitter present a whole other way to present themselves to other people on the web. The point of view in this article is important to the current debate because it shows another way social networking tools have potential to be an aid to an individual using them. Another reason why the point of view presented in this article should be taken into consideration is because not only did the authors present their opinion clearly, but they backed up their opinion with a large amount of research for the readers to look at. This helps the reader form their own judgment whether it agrees with the authors’ or not. This point of view will aid the argument of Twitter and censorship because it shows the reader how these social networks sites can alter the users self-presentation and self-esteem.