Analyzing the Impact of Social Media Usage on the Formation of Self-Identity among Chinese Adolescents

With the development of the Internet, various social media have gradually become popular among adolescents, and their influence on the formation of adolescents' self-identity has attracted more and more attention. Based on the self-perception theory of Erikson, Marcia and Piaget in developmental psychology, this paper deeply analyzes the relationship between social media use and adolescent self-identity. Through the review of related theories, this paper explores the two sides of the influence of social media on adolescents' self-identity: on the one hand, it provides adolescents with diverse information and broad social space, which is conducive to self-exploration and personality display, and promotes the positive development of self-identity; On the other hand, it also brings many negative effects, such as triggering false self-presentation, resulting in the confusion of adolescents' true self-awareness. This paper puts forward countermeasures and suggestions for future research directions from the three levels of family, school and society, aiming to provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for promoting the healthy development of adolescents' self-identity.