Behind the Second Account: The Motives and Meaning of Using a Second Account on Instagram
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30872/hym5ae92Keywords:
authenticity, digital, emotion regulation, phenomenology, second Instagram accountAbstract
The increasing use of second Instagram accounts (second accounts or Finsta) has shifted their function from merely serving as alternative accounts to becoming spaces for emotional expression and identity management. However, previous research has been predominantly quantitative, leaving users’ subjective experiences relatively underexplored. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of emerging adult women using second Instagram accounts. A descriptive phenomenological approach based on Giorgi’s method was employed. Four women aged 25–28 years who actively used private second Instagram accounts participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through phenomenological reduction, identification of meaning units, psychological transformation, and synthesis of the essential structure. Six main themes emerged: the second account as an emotional space, emotional freedom, audience selectivity and safety, sharing emotions without social validation, everyday interaction and closeness, and maintaining emotional boundaries. Scientifically, this study demonstrates that second Instagram accounts are not merely spaces for self-expression or audience management, but are experienced as psychological and relational spaces shaped by audience selectivity, perceived safety, emotional experiences, and the negotiation of personal boundaries.
Meningkatnya penggunaan akun Instagram kedua (second account atau finsta) telah menggeser fungsinya dari sekadar akun alternatif menjadi ruang untuk mengekspresikan emosi dan mengelola identitas diri. Namun, penelitian sebelumnya masih didominasi pendekatan kuantitatif sehingga pengalaman subjektif pengguna belum banyak dieksplorasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengeksplorasi pengalaman hidup perempuan dewasa awal dalam menggunakan akun Instagram kedua. Penelitian menggunakan fenomenologi deskriptif berdasarkan metode Giorgi. Empat perempuan berusia 25–28 tahun yang menggunakan akun Instagram kedua bersifat privat diwawancarai secara semi-terstruktur. Data dianalisis melalui reduksi fenomenologis, meaning units, transformasi psikologis, dan struktur esensial. Hasil penelitian menghasilkan enam tema utama: ruang emosional, kebebasan emosional, selektivitas audiens dan rasa aman, berbagi emosi tanpa validasi sosial, interaksi dan kedekatan, serta menjaga batas emosional. Kontribusi ilmiah penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa akun Instagram kedua tidak hanya berfungsi sebagai sarana ekspresi diri atau pengelolaan audiens, tetapi dimaknai sebagai ruang psikologis dan relasional yang terbentuk melalui selektivitas audiens, rasa aman, pengalaman emosional, dan negosiasi batas diri.
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