Self Disclosure Melalui Second Account di Media Sosial Instagram Sebagai Sarana Ekspresi Diri (Studi pada Anggota PERHUMAS Muda Malang Raya Periode IX)

Self-disclosure is a fundamental aspect of interpersonal communication that is currently undergoing a transformation in line with the evolution of social media. Instagram has become a primary platform for self-expression; however, the pressure for image curation has driven the emergence of "second accounts" as personal spaces. Within these accounts, users feel more comfortable and free to express themselves honestly. This phenomenon warrants investigation to understand the meaning of self-disclosure in the constantly evolving digital sphere. This study utilizes a qualitative phenomenological approach, with data collected through in-depth interviews with members of PERHUMAS Muda Malang Raya Period IX who maintain a second account.

The findings reveal that second accounts are utilized as personal, secure, and selective digital spaces that facilitate honest self-disclosure, free from social pressure. The five dimensions of self-disclosure according to Joseph DeVito, namely quantity, valence, honesty, intent, and depth, manifest in various forms of expression and are supported by Instagram's features. This research also employs Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgy to analyze the division of identity roles between the main account (front stage) and the second account (back stage), as well as the Social Penetration Theory by Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor to describe the stages of the subjects' self-disclosure from orientation to stable exchange. Consequently, the second account is interpreted as an alternative medium for maintaining a balance between public-facing personal branding and authentic emotional expression in the digital realm.