The Friendster: Representation of Digital Identity, Profiles as Conversations in a Networked Culture

Abstract

This study investigated how males represent their identities in a networked culture, specifically The Friendster. It explored (1) the meaning, history and latest features of Friendster, (2) the factors that made The Friendster appealing to its male users and (3) how males project their identities in the digital world. Respondents were 150 males aged 18-24 who answered the online questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the frequency and percentage of each choice for every question was given importance. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with five male participants further gave light to the explanations of the results of the questionnaire. The results of the study proved that males present their identities in their The Friendster profiles in the same way they present themselves in the real world. Majority of the males do not alter their identities nor give effort in trying to project themselves other than who they really are in The Friendster. Their The Friendster profiles typically reflect their identities in real life. Moreover, the study also unraveled that The Friendster is still appealing to its users because of its remarkable features that facilitate self-presentation and its ability to connect and reconnect people.