Social Media Impact on Youth Cultural Identity: A Systematic Literature Review

Benni Handayani, Abdul Latiff Ahmad, Nurul Akqmie Badrul Hisham, Andi Muhammad Tri Sakti

Abstract


In the digital age, social media plays a pivotal role in shaping cultural identity, particularly among youth who navigate complex intersections of globalization, cultural expression, and personal identity in online spaces. However, while social media provides a platform for identity formation, it also presents challenges, including negative behaviours and cultural misrepresentation. This systematic review investigates the impact of social media on youth cultural identity, the associated factors, and the surrounding issues. Articles from two high-quality academic databases, Scopus and Web of Science, were systematically analysed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, to identify recurring themes and trends. Criteria for exclusion and inclusion were set to ensure only primary research articles written in English were included in the review. Of all 27 studies that were screened, only 11 of them were eligible for qualitative synthesis. Findings reveal that social media affects youth cultural identity in various ways, from strengthening self-concept and cultural resilience to introducing challenges related to identity confusion and social comparison. Factors such as social media usage, social media environment, demographic characteristics, and subcultural exploration emerged as influential in identity formation, with social media usage as the most frequently discussed factor. Additionally, the review identified key issues surrounding youth cultural identity on social media, namely negative social behaviour, hybridization, lifestyle and gender. This review suggests the need for digital literacy programs targeting youth, aiming to build resilience against negative social media influences while promoting healthy identity development

 

Keywords: Social media, youth, cultural identity, social media impact, systematic literature review.

 

https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2026-4201-04


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