The definition for self-perception is “a person’s self-concepts; self-awareness.

A person’s “online identity can lead to a new – or at least changed – self.” Page 139. Developing an identity online often provides a person with the freedom to “find one’s own voice” and establish a sense of image awareness. By creating such a personality, a person often finds the self-confidence needed to express themselves in ways they may find difficult in their embodied self. As discussed by Baym, “embodied” self means – in real life. By exploring self-perception, a person can test, practice and prove themselves. People can gain a better perspective of themselves and broaden their own consciousness. In the video I have chosen, “Henry’s Story”, Henry describes how he developed an online persona, which is described by Baym as self-presentation. Something that is not who Henry truly is. He uses a “disembodied identity“, a false identity, created for the forums in which he is an active participant.

Henry’s Story, Common Sense Education

Henry is fourteen, but he presents himself as twenty five years old. This is his online disembodied identity. Using this identity gives Henry a sense of respect. He believes he is treated as an adult and therefore, people treat him differently. He is not judged by his age but what he says. Henry says in the video, “I feel like an intelligent, rational person. And, (it) takes away the element of having to prove yourself to other people.”

To summarize, self-presentation is the way in which we construct and develop an identity online. Perhaps similar to our embodied self, some semblance of it or, in Henry’s case, a false identity. Self-perception is how we feel about our online selves. We choose cue words that identify us as a peer to our online audience. We construct a personal identity that enables us to feel better about ourselves, builds our confidence and allows us to interact with others on the same level.