Authenticity, Digital Media, and Person Identity Verification

Abstract

Identity theory models authenticity as the outcome of person identity verification. In a parallel literature from digital media studies, the concept of authenticity has emerged as a central concern. Through interviews with American adults, I examine authenticity in relation to social media, using an identity theory frame. I show the specific tactics people use to present “true” versions of themselves, and how they censure those who fail to do so. Through participants’ narratives, I distill two principles of authenticity in a digital age: curation and triangulation. These refer to selective practices of sharing and cultivating a consistent image of self across digital platforms and face-to-face interactions. Those who fail to adhere to these principles may be subject to various forms of disconnection—“un-friending,” “un-following,” and/or general social exclusion. Disconnection minimizes interaction opportunities, making it difficult to verify person identity meanings.