Digital Surveillance and Identity Construction on Web-Based Platforms

Web-based platforms have brought about fundamental changes in the ways individuals create identities, maintain social relationships, and represent themselves. The development of internet infrastructure and social networks since the 1990s has enabled individuals to establish an online presence without being tied to a physical location. In this context, the concept of “digital identity” refers to a multi-layered structure shaped by strategies individuals employ to reveal, conceal, and establish connections in the online environment. Social media posts, professional profiles, and online performances demonstrate that individuals develop multiple, fragmented, fluid identity strategies. Furthermore, virtual reality environments deepen identity experiences and presentation forms, making digital identity visible not only as screen-based but also interactive and spatial. However, the formation process of digital identity is based not only on individual preferences but also on the ways digital surveillance mechanisms monitor, direct, and categorize individuals' behaviors.