On-Cam Vs. Off-Cam: Understanding the Dual Identity and Challenges of Vloggers

Abstract

The rapid growth of vlogging in Cebu has reshaped how individuals present their identities in digital spaces, yet it also introduces challenges that affect their personal well-being. This study explored the lived experiences of vloggers, particularly their motivations for vlogging, challenges they encounter, coping mechanisms they use, and how they present themselves both online and offline. Drawing from Goffman’s Self-Presentation Theory, Rogers’ Theory of Incongruence, and Cooley’s Looking-Glass Self, the research examined how vloggers balance the curated image shown to audiences in the digital world with their authentic selves in off camera. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study gathered narratives from vloggers through semi-structured interviews and analyzed the data using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The results revealed that vloggers are motivated by entertainment, personal enjoyment, creativity, financial opportunities, and the desire to inspire. However, they face challenges such as time management and workload, content creation and consistency, platform restriction and technical issues, criticism and negative feedback, and pressure. To cope with these challenges, vloggers employed strategies such as being persistent and optimistic, having faith and learning acceptance, having support systems, having a positive mindset to maintain balance. The findings also highlighted that vloggers maintain a distinct separation between their online and offline personas, while others strive to express authenticity by aligning both online and offline personality. The study provided insights into the psychological realities of vlogging, with implications for vloggers, their viewers, academic setting, digital platforms, and mental health professionals.