The underworld of catfishing, beauty apps, and fantasy online identity | [Science International • 2021]

Author(s):

1. Parveen Kaur: Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia,

2. Eshvin Raj Singh: University of Dundee, Nethergate, DD1 4HN, Dundee, United Kingdom

3. Arif Jawaid: Lahore Garrison University Pakistan

4. Aisyatul Khumaira binti Khairul Salleh: Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia,

5. Barbara Hubong Andrew Hului: Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia,

6. Nur Farhana binti Ahmad Fuad: Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia,

Abstract:

Online identity is part of characteristics that humans develop in cyberspace and interaction between netizens. Online identity is an identity that has been created online or virtual reflecting the identity of the person in reality. In today's technological advancement and the rise of the significance of beauty apps and social media, users have created an online identity that differs from reality. Many of these imaginary and fantasy identities have created sparks in social media indicating that people are being 'catfished' through these virtual profiles. Catfishing is luring people into a relationship based on an online persona. These profile pictures tend to be filtered by using beauty applications, creating an audience that believes how we look is exactly similar to what is posted online. 20 undergraduates consisting an equal number of male and female students of University Malaysia Sarawak were interviewed using personal interview methods. The findings reveal that the fantasy online identity is used for self-confidence, to protect one's real identity, and to manipulate and be deceitful. The limitation of this study is that the number of respondents is small and further research should be bigger in size of respondents.

Page(s): 79-83

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Science International, Volume: 33, Issue: 2, Year: 2021

Keywords:

online , identity , Catfishing , Fantas , Beauty Apps

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