‘Connecting the I to the we to the world’: social media as dialogue between self and society

Abstract

ABSTRACT Social media has become a central context in which young people connect with others, explore their identity, and express their agency. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with the aim of exploring how a diverse group of South African emerging adults (N = 41) construct the meaning of self and society through their online engagements. Narrative identity theory provided a framework for understanding the construction of personal and collective narratives. The emergence of social responsibility and personal agency in a transforming South African context was also considered. The findings confirm that social media serves as an important developmental context in which diverse young people connect with each other and the world, refine their philosophy on life, and reflect on their views of the future. It became evident how South African emerging adults grapple with multiple stories and attempt to integrate themes of individuality and solidarity, diversity and unity, and adversity and responsibility.