PANGGUNG CITRA DIRI REMAJA DI MEDIA SOSIAL INSTAGRAM (STUDI DESKRIPTIF PADA ANGGOTA UKM PUTRA PUTRI KAMPUS MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG)

The difference between self-image displayed on social media and self-image in real life often reveals a form of incongruity. This phenomenon has become increasingly apparent alongside the rapid development of social media, particularly Instagram as a platform for self-image construction. This study employs Erving Goffman’s dramaturgical theory, which conceptualizes social life as a performance consisting of a front stage and a backstage, to explain how individuals manage the impressions they present. The research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach enriched with ethnographic perspectives to understand the social and cultural contexts underlying adolescents’ self-presentation practices on Instagram.

The findings indicate that the first account is used as a public space to display an idealized self-image that aligns with community norms and social expectations. Meanwhile, communication practices on the second account do not fully represent a private space, but rather occupy a semi-public sphere characterized by the conscious management of messages, audiences, and identities. This space is understood as a middle stage, where students present themselves in a more relaxed and personal manner while still reconstructing their self-image in accordance with the expectations of a closer audience. These findings suggest that self-image management on Instagram can no longer be understood through a strict public–private dichotomy, But is instead fluid and contextual. Thus, Instagram functions not only as a platform for sharing, but also as a social performance arena that involves continuous negotiation between idealized and authentic self-images.