The Impact of the Internet on Youth Identity: A Review

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical revision about the positive and negative impact that has the participation in the experimental laboratory (Turkle, 1995; Wallace, 1999) that Internet offers. The prescntation is organized considering four traits of solid identity which are confronted with their correspondent in identity diffusion; unicity vs. multiplicity; inner clarity about own's sex vs. gender dysphoria; authenticity vs. lack of authenticity; dcep ethnic and moral standards vs. inordinatc ethnic and moral relativism. From this analysis it is possible to understand how Internet can constitute, in many cases, a medium which can increase the problems that posmodern life poses, specially in terms of a permanent and viable identity definition. That is, an identity based upon an ego as an articulator center and as a subject with commitments and identifications that supply the horizon where each person as individual Will adopt a personal position.