The Mirror and the Mask: Social Media and Identity

Lexile: 1050 | Grade: 10

Passage

Every time we post a photo, comment, or video online, we are adding to something called our digital identity—a version of ourselves shaped by what we choose to share.

But this identity may not always match who we are offline. On social media, people can carefully select what parts of their lives to reveal, often highlighting achievements and filtering out imperfections. In this way, the digital self becomes a performance, shaped as much by others’ reactions as by personal truth.

Some psychologists argue that this constant curation can lead to what they call 'identity fatigue'—the stress of maintaining a version of yourself that isn’t fully real. Over time, this can affect mental health, relationships, and even how we see ourselves.

At the same time, social media also offers connection, creativity, and community. It allows people to express ideas, find support, and build networks that cross borders and backgrounds.

So, is social media a mirror, reflecting who we are? Or is it a mask, hiding what we don’t want others to see? Perhaps it’s both—a tool that both reveals and conceals, depending on how we use it.

Questions

Q1: Which of the following best expresses the central idea of the passage?

  • A. Social media is mainly used for entertainment and news.
  • B. People are spending too much time online instead of in person.
  • C. Social media can shape a version of identity that’s both helpful and harmful.
  • D. Psychologists believe social media will eventually replace real-life friendships.

Q2: What is the author’s purpose in including the term 'identity fatigue'?

  • A. To explain why people stop using the internet
  • B. To provide a clinical diagnosis for social media addiction
  • C. To introduce a psychological idea that supports the negative effects of online performance
  • D. To criticize people who post too often on social media

Q3: How does the author structure the passage to develop the topic?

  • A. By comparing different social media platforms
  • B. By describing a problem, then presenting balanced perspectives
  • C. By giving step-by-step instructions for building an online profile
  • D. By presenting only the positive effects of digital identity

Q4: What is the meaning of the metaphor 'the digital self becomes a performance' in paragraph 2?

  • A. People lie about everything on social media.
  • B. Posting online is like being on stage—carefully managed for an audience.
  • C. Social media is only used by actors and performers.
  • D. The digital self always matches the real self.

Q5: Which question does the author raise but leave open for the reader to consider?

  • A. How many people use social media worldwide?
  • B. Whether social media will cause the end of real conversation
  • C. If social media is a mirror or a mask—or possibly both
  • D. How often teenagers should post online

Printable Comprehension Practice

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: Which of the following best expresses the central idea of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage explores both the benefits and drawbacks of digital identity, showing how social media can reflect or distort who we are.

Q2: What is the author’s purpose in including the term 'identity fatigue'?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The term 'identity fatigue' supports the argument that curating an online persona can be mentally exhausting.

Q3: How does the author structure the passage to develop the topic?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The author begins by highlighting a potential problem (the gap between digital and real identity), then explores both benefits and challenges.

Q4: What is the meaning of the metaphor 'the digital self becomes a performance' in paragraph 2?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The metaphor suggests that people present an idealized version of themselves for approval and attention, much like a performance.

Q5: Which question does the author raise but leave open for the reader to consider?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The author ends the passage with a reflective question about the dual role of social media, inviting the reader to think critically.