Understanding identity in sociology, alongside its methods of formation, expression, and maintenance, remains critically important in cementing a foundational understanding of the social nature of the individual, and how individuals become their selves in the vast network of society. Identities are important to understand in contemporary society as “in the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity” (Erikson, 1950, p.212). Identities give us, social entities, a personal meaning. Sociological discussions of identity have evolved due to the nature of society changing. From the early 20th century discussions of the Chicago School relaying identity with class and occupations to the emergence of postmodern, fragmented thinking at the turn of the twenty-first century; sociological thinking on the nature of identity has shifted to fit the contemporary nature of society at hand. This technologically driven evolution has shifted every aspect of how society functions and has also created a new social reality for individuals to thrive in. This new space, stated as the internet/ virtual reality, is used more extensively by younger generations, who are coined as the “digital natives, the net generation, the Google generation or the millennials” (Helsper and Enyon, 2009, p.503). With support from literature by Baudrillard (1979), Goffman (1956), Introna (1997) and others who will be referenced within the paper, alongside primary research conducted, a conclusive statement can be made regarding the topic at hand. This paper concludes that younger generations that do engage with cyberspace and the hyperreal, often use it to formulate, express, and maintain their identities. There is a relationship, of argued importance, between younger generations’ identities and virtual reality in post-modern society which may be important in understanding identity for certain subcultures/groups of younger generations, namely those who heavily engage with virtual reality/ cyberspace.
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