Social Construction Theory of the Digital Middle Class: Social Identity in a Gig Economy Environment

The development of digital technology and the emergence of work apps have changed the social structure in Indonesian cities, creating a digital middle class that is active in the gig economy. This research aims to investigate how the social identities of the digital middle class are formed amongst the flexibility and unpredictability of the platform economy. Using a qualitative approach and Berger and Luckmann's social construction theory, this study explores three main stages in identity formation: externalization, objectivation, and internalization. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with gig workers (freelancers, online motorcycle taxi drivers, and content creators), online observations on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, and digital documentation review. Thematic analysis shows that social identities are formed through interactions in digital spaces, personal brand strategies, and narratives about social mobility. On the one hand, their professional image and independence support and reinforce social status; on the other hand, their existence is characterized by economic vulnerability, algorithmic pressure, and lack of social protection. This research confirms that the digital middle class is a dynamic social construction, characterized by the contradiction between status symbols and structural uncertainty. The findings contribute to the study of digital sociology, providing a deeper understanding of social class change in the era of the platform economy.