The Impact of Virtual Communities on Cultural Identity

Abstract

The emergence of the Internet and various forms of virtual communities has led to the impact of a new social space on individuals who frequently replace the real world with alternative forms of socializing. In virtual communities, new ‘friendships’ are easily accepted; however, how this acceptance influences cultural identity has not been investigated. Based on the data collected from 443 respondents in the Republic of Serbia, authors analyze this connexion, as well as how the absorption of others’ cultural values is reflected on the local cultural values. The results show that the adoption of others’ cultural values diminished the bond with the local community. The present paper adds to the theory of virtual communities by examining the relationship between the acceptance of an unknown person in a virtual community and its effects on cultural identity. This study contributes to the clarification of the impact that virtual networking has on cultural identity.

Kajian Tentang Komunitas Virtual: Kesempatan dan Tantangan Kajian di Bidang Ilmu Komunikasi

“…Penelitian tentang komunitas virtual dan kaitannya dengan budaya misalnya dalam konteks masyarakat Republik Serbia (Baltezarevic et al, 2019) Menyelidiki pengaruh budaya pada proses menjalin relasi dalam komunitas virtual. Munculnya internet dan berbagai bentuk komunitas virtual telah menimbulkan dampak ruang sosial baru pada individu sebagai bentuk alternatif bersosialisasi.…”

Virtualization of Identity in the Context of Self-Realization of a Personality

“…Thus, R. Baltezarevic, B. Baltezarevic, P. Kwiatek, and V. Baltezarevic believe that after people start using the Internet, they expand the circle of acquaintances with whom they are in contact. However, this can lead to the weakening of ties with local communities, which blurs their identity (R. Baltezarevic, B. Baltezarevic, Kwiatek, & V. Baltezarevic, 2019). Agreeing in general with the above point of view, it should be noted that such an erosion of identity occurs when a person has a passive attitude towards it.…”

“…Intensive use of computer networks leads to the loss of identity of clear contours, its blurring (R. Baltezarevic, B. Baltezarevic, Kwiatek, & V. Baltezarevic, 2019). Thus, Esti N. Beck (2015) is inclined to believe that the virtualization of identity can lead to the use of personal data of a person in order to manipulate his consciousness (p. 125).…”

Komunikasi Antarbudaya Dalam Konflik Di Media Sosial (Content Analysis Konflik Overstay Kristen Gray Di Twitter)

“…Dengan banyaknya kultur yang tersebar di i n t e r n e t , p e n g g u n a d i h a d a p ka n p a d a pertanyaan: "Kultur mana yang harus diiku ?". Pada tahap ini, pengguna sedang mengalami pemosisian iden tas kultural (posi oning cultural iden ty) (Baltezarevic, et al, 2019). Implikasinya, pengguna, terutama warganet dari Indonesia, sedang melakukan rekonstruksi dan pendefinisian ulang iden tasnya dengan kultur internet (Kellner, 1992).…”

“…Implikasinya, pengguna, terutama warganet dari Indonesia, sedang melakukan rekonstruksi dan pendefinisian ulang iden tasnya dengan kultur internet (Kellner, 1992). Iden tas telah menjadi permainan pilihan (game of choice) yang dipilih berdasarkan pilihan individu itu sendiri (Baltezarevic, et al, 2019). Dalam temuan ini dan temuan Microso , dapat disimpulkan bahwa mayoritas warganet Indonesia memilih iden tas dengan konsep diri independen, perlindungan wajah self-face, dan manajemen ko n fl i k d o m i n a n g .…”