Making Social Media for Me: Black College Women, Social Media, and Identity Development

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session Seven
  In Roundtable Session: Women of Color at the Center of the Pandemic Crisis (Table 8)

Abstract

Social media has become an important contextual influence on the lives, experiences, and identities for youth in Generation Z (Gen Z). While the research in social media and identity development is rapidly growing, there is a dearth on the impact that it has on Black college women. The purpose of this study is to explore how Black college women (re)construct their gendered racial identities on social media. Utilizing a grounded theory methodology and analysis, four themes were found that illuminate the role of social media in the identity development process for Black college women. Implications for this study reflect the need for colleges and universities to note the added race-related stress that may impact their matriculation through their college years.

Authors

• Ashley Payne, Missouri State University
  Presenting Author

• Whitney Akalugwu, Missouri State University
  Presenting Author

• Mykah Doolin, Missouri State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Riley Brady, Missouri State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Emily Lohrbach, Missouri State University
  Presenting Author