The Impact of Cyber Culture on Adolescent Behavior on Social Media: A Case Study of the ‘Flexing’ Phenomenon on TikTok
Abstract
The development of cyber culture has transformed the way humans interact and express themselves in digital spaces. One prominent phenomenon among teenagers today is “flexing,” which refers to the act of showcasing wealth or a luxurious lifestyle on social media, particularly TikTok. This article aims to analyze how cyber culture influences teenagers’ behavior in constructing digital identities and seeking social validation through flexing content. This study employs a qualitative method using observation and interviews with TikTok users aged 15–20 years. The findings indicate that cyber culture plays a significant role in shaping teenagers’ self-perception and social status, but it also gives rise to negative effects such as consumerism and social pressure. Therefore, digital literacy serves as an essential solution for fostering a healthy digital culture
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