What type of study is this?

This is a Literature Review study (also classified as: Observational).

September 5, 2025Open Access

A brief analysis of the authenticity dilemma in the age of social media

THT. T. HuangThe University of Western Australia

Key Points

The study reveals that users face significant challenges in expressing authenticity on social platforms due to algorithmic curation.
Evidence from case studies shows that social dynamics and content recommendation systems blur the line between authentic and performative self-presentation.
An observational analysis of social media environments illustrates how technological mediation complicates identity construction.
This investigation highlights the need for understanding authenticity in the context of rapidly evolving social media dynamics.

Abstract

Authenticity refers to the distinctive individuality that differentiates a person from others, emphasizing uniqueness and sincerity of the self. In the era of rapidly evolving social media, authenticity has become a core value in self-expression and identity construction, yet it also faces unprecedented challenges and reconceptualization. On one hand, users strive to present an authentic self on social platforms in pursuit of recognition and emotional resonance. On the other hand, algorithmic curation, content recommendation mechanisms, and platform-specific interaction rules constantly shape and intervene in users' expressive behaviors, blurring the boundary between the authentic and the performative. This paper examines the authenticity dilemma through case studies and a literature review, focusing on how technological mediation, capital logic, and social dynamics collectively challenge the notion of authenticity. Beginning with a conceptual deconstruction of authenticity, the study further explores the problems and manifestations of authenticity in contemporary social media environments.

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