“An alternative conceptualization of identity relevant for our purposes is that proposed by McAdams, who has argued that the development of identity is an ongoing and fluid process, during which identity is adapted to current postmodern conditions (McAdams, 1997). Identity is never ‘established’, but instead is a process of narration that occurs in the context of several multiple selves. According to McAdams individuals on the brink of adulthood construct narrative or dynamical life stories about themselves and these stories form the basis of their identity. These identity narratives draw from the adolescents’ past, present and future and contain themes related to agency (or achievement and mastery) and communion…”(Subrahmanyam, K. & Smahel, D., 2011, pg. 61)

The introduction of the article lays out a few definitions of identity development in adolescence. This definition in particular, next to the other fixed ideas of identity, really peaked my curiosity. The fixed ideas of identity development, perhaps, made sense in an analog age due to social, cultural, religious and familial ‘bubbles’ that were relatively small. The models also make sense for a time when adolescents weren’t expected to travel far from home.

However now, in the digital age, the idea of narrative identity makes so much sense considering the access to different worlds or ‘bubbles’ given by internet and social media. Additionally, in many cultures in the U.S. adolescents are expected to leave home for a period of time to either go to school or start work/career. Fluid narrative identity theory compliments these expectations of adolescents as identity formation matches whichever scenario or niche the adolescent is in. Narrative identity works for self-generated digital identities, as young people may choose to identify differently within various online spaces. One example is that of ‘finstas’ or ‘fun-instagram’ accounts where young people choose to keep specific accounts private and accessible only to a few friends. These accounts let them be goofy or silly, while their public accounts act as curated and carefully constructed versions of self. While this may seem odd, Narrative theory of identity development leaves room for agency. ‘Finstas’ demonstrate the awareness and choice young people have online, and in real life, about how they represent themselves or where they choose to find community. Narrative and evolving identity formation allows adolescents to be multi-dimensional, and represents social media and digital worlds more broadly.