CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The following section contains the information gathered in response to the research

question outlined in the introductory chapter of this study. It presents findings, including

quotes from participants, aimed at discussing the role of social media on GenZ self-

identity and self-expression. The chapter concludes with the researchers’ judgments,

interpretations, and reflections based on their findings.

Emerging Themes

After drawing out the patterns from the data through coding and concept

clustering, the following themes were formed and recognized:

1. GenZ’s different ways to express and identify themselves on social media.

2. Factors that limit GenZ to be expressive in real life.

3. Circumstances that GenZ’s more likely to express in social media than in real

life.

4. Traits that GenZ develops in using social media.

GenZ’s different ways to express and identify themselves on social media.

GenZ’s uses different strategies to express and identify themselves by utilizing social

media. The main theme is the technique or strategies, with two categories that each link

with two concepts. The data shows that out of five (5) participants they are all using

different strategies to express and identify themselves on social media. These strategies
are using dump accounts or shared posting. According to Florida Atlantic University

(2021), individuals who find it hard to socialize have found an easy way through social

media to express themselves to become better at communication skills and thereby

discover their own identity. GenZ’s express and identify themselves on social media

through post, shared posting, humor, and messenger notes. According to (Goldring 2018),

which allows its users to express their thoughts and themselves. This platform allows

users to discuss their feelings, thoughts, or some random thoughts that they like sharing.

In connection to this, they also need to make sure that social media helps in healthily

express themselves, not harming them (Dreckett, 2022). Therefore, some of them actively

post on social media using their dump account because as they said the people who saw

their rants through posting understands what they feel and what humor they have.

DODONG: sugad ha mayda niyo dump account, ngadto kamo nag ra-rant you are able

to express what you feel bagat na lelessen bat kuan [burden] mga sugad.

[like having a dump account, where you can rant and express what you feel, it lessens the

burden of those kinds of things].

PEDRO: syempre pag post hit aton mga nangyayari ha aton buhay it common ways

talaga nga gin gagamit it social media pag eexpress it ira talaga mga daily lives/ daily

activities.

[by posting about what’s happening in our lives].

BRENDA: Kuan ako usually man gud it akon the way ko express tak sarili is through

humor, I rarely share, rarely la talaga ak na sharedpost or na use, actually on my

other account I’m really active there pero in my main but in my main dire gud ak
 nagkukuan kay dire ak expressive tak emotions or feelings pero in my other account

mas kuan ak didto kay like mas it akon makakakita hit ak mga post is mas magegets

nira tak mga life situations kumbaga.

LINDA: I usually express myself on social media using just like what the other said shared post

or usually notes on messenger.

ISABELA: ako liwat dire gud ak into social media like mayda ko mga shared post pero

only me.

In relation to this, according to the study of Goorin J. & Baumgarten (2023) revealed

that a lot of several studies have verified that social media has been identified as a useful tool in

promoting awareness and acceptance among Gen Z, and the importance of representation and

molding their thoughts regarding personal identity. Social media plays an important role in the

development of identity and self-expression, especially during adolescence. In addition to this,

social media has shown to be a useful tool for communication in terms of interacting with

one another and sharing information (Andreana N.2020). These are the strategies they use

to express themselves more and to build up their self-identity.

TYPING/WORDS

SHARED POSTING
IMAGES/EMOTICON

STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES

ALLOW TO UPLOAD
RANDOM POSTS
DUMMY
ACCOUNTS
ALTER BEHAVIOR IN
REAL LIFE
Factors that limit GenZ to be expressive in real life.

There are many factors that hinder GenZ from being expressive in real life.

The hindrance that they face that limit their expressiveness. Based on the findings, the

factors that limits them to be expressive are fear of being misunderstood, limited chance

to express their selves. The data illustrates that two (2) out of five (5) participants indicate

that fear of being misunderstood limits them from expressing their selves, the rest stated

that limited chances to express their selves hinder them. In relation to this, according to

Fresh Essays (2023), the impact of social media on Generation Z is examined, including

its potential to contribute to a negative self-image. Additionally, the study explores the

benefits of social networking, such as connecting with like-minded individuals and

staying informed about current events. Moreover, the research indicates that while social

media can be beneficial for younger individuals, it can also have a detrimental effect on

their self-esteem. According to findings, Gen Z is the most equipped to navigate social

media and build more connections, but they can struggle with in-person social skills

(Veronica G., 2019).

LINDA: In real life mas mas dakot tendency na misunderstood ka tas ha it social media

kasi bagan bisan ka mag ano, mag ano ngada mashashare mo, kaya mo ma share bisan

bisan pa waray may naka gets tim humor puyde kala gihap magshare so amo ito amo tak

na kukuan nga it social media bisan ikaw nala it naka gets tim jokes, ikaw nala it

natawa (noise) so helpful la gihap hiya.

[In real life there is a huge chance that we will be misunderstood compared to real life

situations].

ISABELA: Usually there are unsaid feelings na makuri nat ipagawas, normally [noise]

normally in real life so if there are some cases na ma feel mo gusto mo magshare

pero waray ka mashashare-an.

In line with the study of (Reer et al., 2019). Steady exposure to such negativity can make

a poisonous cycle, encouraging and compounding their mental well-being. The youth

today are connected through social media platforms, they can update each other through

social media. According to Florida Atlantic University (2021), individuals who find it

hard to socialize have found an easy way through social media to express themselves to

become better at communication skills and thereby discover their own identity. This

factors that affected them to be expressive has been found out that they really being

affected by it.

BRINGS NEGATIVITY
FEAR OF BEING
MISUNDERSTOOD
INSECURE

HINDRANCE IN EXPRESSING

LOW SELF-ESTEEM
LIMITED CHANCE
TO EXPRESS THEIR
SELVES
OUTSPOKEN
Circumstances that GenZ’s more likely to express in social media than in real life.
The Gen Z nowadays are more likely to express themselves more on social media

than in real life. The primary theme is the influences, with three categories that connects

to two concepts. The table shows that the first category which is unsaid feelings can be a

regret wishing that things had been different and results to silent admiration. The second

cattery Anger can be emotional response the feeling of being angry to oneself resulting to

irritation and behavioral response that actions taken from being angry. The last category

Vent Out, which is Emotional Release, provides releasing pent-up emotions and Support

and Validation sharing your feelings and supporting of what they feel. As (2019, Notre

Dame Maryland University, NDMU). For teenagers who have friends in the real world,

social media is an extension of those relationships, and for those who find it difficult to

make friends in person, it offers countless opportunities for peer connection. Important

friendship traits, such as self-disclosure, validation, companionship, and instrumental

support, can happen offline and online in equally fulfilling and productive ways.

However, there is a lack of information regarding the consequences of conflict and how

to resolve it online.

PEDRO: I am not able to express on how I feel danay, like special someone danay, sugad

nagkaka-misunderstanding dire gud ak nakakag-express kun ano tak gusto iyakan. With

the use of messenger and new kuan social media influences kaya ko lugod mabutang
 didto ha wordsW, kaya ko mayakan ha words if ever na sugad hiton mga intimates na

mga bagay..... so amo tun.

ISABELA: Uhhhhh..... ha social media ngan traditional methods, iba kase tak persona

oo kay personality between ha social media and traditional methods.....kay kun ha social

media bagat if dire.... dire kita close tas nakikitan niyo tak mga pinankukuan ha social

media.....itun ngadi ma dire niyo nakikitan nga sugad ngayan ak.....if dre kita close in

person napapausa nala nga hala sugad ngayan ini hiya kay another thing liwat ha

traditional methods...kun nakikigcommunicate ak in person may sometimes na dire ak

dire ko maexpress tak mga mayayakan compared ha social media ngan kaya ko dayon

maexplain or mayakan tanan naak thoughts....asya la...

In relation to this, a study by Hayes (2021) revealed that the messages

communicated on different social media stages in a general sense change Era Z’s (Gen

Z’s) passionate, mental, and otherworldly well-being. The foremost prevalent social

media stage for Gen Z–Instagram. Instagram emphatically affected Gen Z sincerely,

rationally, and profoundly. Based on the data this circumstances affects the way they

communicate in real life than in social media.

SILENT ADMIRATION

UNSAID FEEELINGS
REGRET

EMOTIONAL RESPONSE
CHARACTERISTICS ANGER
BEHAVIORAL
RESPONSE

EMOTIONAL RELEASE
VENT OUT
Traits that GenZ develops in using social media.

Under this theme are the characteristics that they develop in using social media.

The main theme is the characteristics or traits, with three categories that each link with

two concepts. The data illustrates that all five (participants) agree that social media helps

to build up new characteristics. These characteristics are new perspectives, being self-

aware, and improving communication skills. As Goorin J. & Baumgarten (2023) revealed

that social media has been identified as a useful tool in promoting awareness and

acceptance among Gen Z, and the importance of representation and molding their

thoughts regarding personal identity. Another important was that using digital gadgets by

parents when their adolescents are around can negatively impact the GenZ’s emotional

health and attachment to their parents. (Maria, E. N. 2020).

DODONG: Social media help me positively with how I can communicate because

through social media I can practice how I can communicate with someone nga bisan

dire ko hiya kilala bisan.... like kaka-friend pala nam.. ha socmed la kami magkilala

pero nakikigistorya la ghap ak so I think it is a great practice for me... so when I try

traditional methods dire naak maninibago bisan dire ko kilala tak kaistorya mayda

kona idea how I can communicate..because that is the influence of social media... In

a way wray maka apekto haak it social media since nag ..... ummmm ano ini ...

nagstruggle talaga ako hit communication...in real life pero not in a way na kuan
 socially acquired mayda ko man ghap mga close friends na waray problema hit

communication... so makayakan ak na it social media waray maka-apekto

haakon...with communication.

BRENDA: So an akon kuan communication abilities nakabubulig dinhi na part madako

an social media [crunch] first of all damo it critiques ha social media tapos when

we’re viewing different kuan ngadto opinions syempre time to time mas nagiging

self-conscious ak so mahihibaro ak kun aanhon ko ini when in terms of kuan,...tapos

mas friendly man gud ak ngan interactive ha social media bagan na syempre.....

ammm ...awwww....ehhhhh....emm. Specially han time han pandemic puro la social

media mas han hadto na time nakagyakan ak na nakag-improve nak communication

abilities pagbalik han F2f kay nakahibaro al ngan mas naginself-concious ak an

mga... kun aanhon ko pagdara hin conversations.....

This shows in the findings that through social media they develop new traits and

improve themselves, this new traits that they develop can be used in order to build their

self-identity and to express themselves more. As by Chen (2023) social media helps users

to show their ability to its extent, these media platforms progressively evolve them to an

individual who can proudly display themselves.

SOURCE OF NEWS AND

INFORMATION
NEW PERSPECTIVE
LEADS TO ERRORS IN
JUDGEMENT

PHYSICALLY
CHARACTERISTICS SELF-AWARENESS
EMOTIONALLY

CONNECTING WITH
IMPROVE NEW PEOPLE
COMMUNICATION
 Discussion

The results indicate that the role of social media in shaping GenZ’s self-

expression and self-identity has greatly contributed to the formation of self-expression

and self-identity among GenZ individuals.

Firstly, Gen Z express themselves on social media, as indicated by a study from

Florida Atlantic University (2021). The study’s author observed that many young

individuals who struggle with in-person socializing find it easier to connect through

social media, there must be a sense of self-identity and self-expression. Another study by

Goldring (2018) suggests that social media enables users to express their thoughts and

personalities through posts, shared content, humor, and direct messages. Furthermore,

Dreckett (2022), argued that they also need to make sure that social media helps in

healthily expressing themselves, not harming them.

Eventually, the study showed some challenges that hinder GenZ individuals from

expressing themselves personally including, limited chances to express themselves and

fear of being misunderstood. In the study conducted by Fresh Essays in 2023, an in-depth

analysis of the impact of social media on Generation Z, the study delves into various

aspects of this impact, including its potential to contribute to the formation of a negative

self-image among individuals belonging to this demographic. The study suggests that

exposure to unrealistic standards, cyberbullying, and excessive comparison with others

can lead to decreased self-esteem and well-being. This is also proven by some responses

that Gen Z is the most equipped to navigate social media and build more connections, but

they can struggle with in-person social skills.