Abstract:

The emergence of computer-mediated communication (CMC) has enabled new opportunities for individuals to present themselves to others in manners that can be considered as new ways to build their own identity. The interaction fostered in online social networks represents one of the most potentialized ways in CMC with special characteristics and features, some of them empowered by the emerging new generation of online social networks like Facebook.
The online construction of identity has two main components: the auto-presentation that the subject make to others in online environments, and the recognizing by others of that claim.
This paper presents an analysis of the field of the identity construction through the use of Facebook focusing on the strategies identified in the specialized literature over these two dimensions: the self-representation one and the recognition-by-others one, and in the same manner, discusses the current state of methods and techniques that are most frequent used to analyze it, classified into five main categories: a) The studies that focus on the information that users place on their Facebook´s personal profiles, b) Studies that focus on the images placed in the personal profiles of Facebook users. c) Studies that focus in the analysis of the social relations that hold bachelors who use Facebook, d) Studies that focus on the study of patterns of use of Facebook by high school students, and d) Studies that focus on studying how the use and participation in online social networks provides the means to strengthen the construction of identities that takes place in physical environments.
An important contribution of this analysis made is that we consider texts written in English and Spanish, especially focusing on study reports in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia since 2004 until now.
Finally, this document includes some elements that should be considered in future studies derived from the analysis of the experience gained by research in these five categories in order to ensure a deeper understanding of the identity construction.

Keywords:

Identity construction, High School students, Social Networking, Facebook.