When youth ecological commitment is hindered by identity issues: the case of commitment visibility on social networks

Abstract

Young ecologists find themselves torn between the desire to expose their commitment on social networks and the risks inherent in this exposure. Based on a qualitative methodology, we analyzed the visibility strategies developed by these young people to avoid confrontation with their peers, marginalization in certain groups or to protect their professional future. This involves, for example, removing the digital traces of one’s commitment or concealing one’s personal identity by using collectives accounts. In this context, one of the obstacles to the development of the ecological movement is not only a lack of commitment to the cause, nor even a lack of awareness of environmental issues but also the lack of ontological security needed for the commitment to be displayed.