Today’s society increasingly celebrates individuality, from our hairstyles, make-up and choice of clothing to our gender identity and body type. Fashion is no longer about following a crowd; what suits one person doesn’t suit another. The message we are sending to our peers is that our authentic selves are valuable and that we don’t have to pretend to be someone else.
The digital you is becoming just as relevant in our society as the physical you, an extension of who you are as an individual. A person’s social media profiles and the content they share forms a picture of who they are, and the evolution of that digital identity mirrors the physical self.
The perception that the virtual world is fake no longer holds any relevance, as the world’s largest tech companies continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the metaverse, a digital reflection of our physical reality. With virtual worlds offering opportunities to work, play and interact with others, people are spending more and more time embracing their own digital identities. As companies seek to empower users with the platforms they are offering, individuals are able to express themselves far more than ever before.
Social Media as an Outlet for Self-expression
Showing the world our authentic selves doesn’t have to be contained in the words we say. The beauty of social media is that we can share content that resonates with us and reflects how we’re feeling; an image, an inspirational quote or a video. This content can make us feel seen and heard, especially when others acknowledge our posts. Users can share their creativity with friends and communicate their feelings.
By contrast, platforms such as Twitter allow people to express thoughts and opinions more anonymously. This can be a double-edged sword, and users should always be mindful of the content they put into the digital sphere. However, simply verbalizing a thought in a limited number of characters can help; sometimes people don’t feel comfortable enough to be so open and honest with loved ones in that particular moment.
Accessibility at the Touch of a Button
With the development of smartphones, access to these virtual worlds is closer than ever before. It is no longer necessary to turn on a desktop computer to play an online game, with online gaming companies ensuring that their sites are easily navigable for those playing on a smartphone or tablet.
Mobile games offer users their own means of self-expression and creativity – this could be through building or designing their digital spaces within the game or customising characters. These gaming sites, as well as accompanying apps, have become increasingly sophisticated and offer a huge variety of games. Bodog, which is based in Canada, is one such example – with over 70 games available on this reputable casino platform.
The Covid-19 pandemic drastically altered the way we live our lives, forcing us to remain at home and separated from our communities. This is where online communities became lifelines for our mental health and enabled us to connect with others, with online gaming sites offering chat functions and forums where users can be their true selves without fear of being judged on their physical appearance, age or ethnicity.
The Development of the Digital Avatar
The use of avatars in digital worlds is not new, but they are becoming more sophisticated. Online role-playing games such as World of Warcraft, launched in 2004, allowed users to create their own characters and direct their adventures. Whilst the fantasy game offers individuals an opportunity to completely change their appearance, studies suggest that users’ behaviour within the game usually reflects their authentic selves. For example, more introverted players tend to veer towards solo quests, while extroverted players seek out group activities, seeking to collaborate with others.
Conversely, the digital identity allows users to overcome issues that affect their everyday lives and be who they wish they could be. Someone unable to wear certain clothing for religious reasons can embrace it in the virtual world, while someone with physical restrictions can leave them behind in the physical world and fight monsters or jump out of planes. In the metaverse it is easy to experiment – thinking of a drastic haircut but too nervous to make the change? It’s simple to try it in a virtual world.
Essentially, our avatars allow us to be what we want to be on any given day; one day we might want to reflect our physical selves, and on another we might want to be somebody totally different.
With the advent of the metaverse, the avatar now goes further than ever before. Digital fashion houses, recognising the potential of these virtual worlds, are collaborating with gaming platforms to allow users to digitally try on exclusive clothing and merchandise. As much as we want the opportunity to experiment, as consumers we also want to feel that our authentic selves are represented. A study conducted by the Institute of Digital Fashion in 2021 revealed that almost 60% of people would like to see more inclusivity in the digital fashion world, with greater scope for different body types, gender identities and disabilities.
Conclusion
In an age where the metaverse is moving ever closer and our physical and digital worlds continue to overlap, we are able to express ourselves in more creative ways. Being our authentic selves makes us feel seen and heard, supporting our mental health, and our digital selves allow us more autonomy than ever. As tech companies seek to provide us with virtual worlds to meet our every need, we can embrace our true identities.
