The Gap Between Real Self and Virtual Self (Avatar) Among Social Media Users: A Qualitative Study on Bahraini Youth

Abstract

This study examines the gap between the real self and the virtual self (avatar) among social media users inBahrain. Using a qualitative approach, it analyzes in-depth accounts from 25 Bahraini youth aged 18 to 35 years to explore how individuals construct and negotiate digital identities. The findings reveal a significant disparity between the real and virtual self: 48% of participants reported only partial alignment, while 36% reported no alignment between their real and virtual identities. Participants consistently described virtual identities as idealised, selective, and often detached from everyday reality. While these digital self-presentations were associated with psychological benefits, such as increased self-confidence and temporary stress relief, they also generated psychological strain, particularly due to the pressure to maintain idealised images and manage fragmented forms of self-representation. These findings highlight the ambivalent nature of constructing a virtual identity, presenting it as a potential source of psychological tension as well as a resource for self-enhancement.