Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
7-29-2026
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between media literacy, identity structures, and social perception among Georgian higher education students and explores how Media Literacy affects the Formation of First Impressions through the mediating roles of Social Identity and Digital Identity. The results demonstrate a strong positive correlation between Media Literacy and both Social Identity and Digital Identity. While the direct link between literacy and impression formation was non-significant. The mediation model revealed a psychological mechanism: Media Literacy significantly reduces superficial reliance on digital profiles only by strengthening a conscious and reflective Digital Identity. In the Georgian context, these findings suggest that media literacy acts as a psychological "bridge" between traditional collectivist roots - characterized by high social monitoring, and modern digital individualism. The research concludes that to ensure Georgian society does not remain vulnerable to digital manipulation, educational interventions must shift from technical skill acquisition to the cultivation of critical digital self-awareness.
Keywords: Media Literacy, Social Identity, Georgia, Mediation Analysis, Social Monitoring
Recommended Citation
INFORMATION REMOVED, AUTHOR, "The Role of Media and the Digital World in the Formation of Digital Identity and First Impressions" (2026). JMLE Submissions Open for Review. Paper 4.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/jmle-ofr/4