Identity

Maanya Kohli

Performing Belonging: How Gen Z Uses Instagram to Communicate Social Connection

A close-up headshot of a young woman with warm brown skin, dark hair pulled back, and a soft, friendly smile. She wears round, brown-rimmed glasses, gold hoop earrings, and a delicate gold chain necklace with a small heart pendant over a black halter top. Her lips are glossy with a reddish tint, and the background is softly blurred.

Hi, I’m Maanya, a Professional Communications student at TMU who’s fascinated by how social media shapes the way we connect, express ourselves, and make meaning out of everyday life. I’m into all things creative including music, film, pop culture and I spend a lot of time being (very intentionally) chronically online. I’m also a huge foodie, so if I’m not consuming media, I’m probably cooking, baking, or thinking about my next meal.

This project looks at how Gen Z uses Instagram to show and shape belonging. Instead of focusing on how people present themselves, it explores how connection, friendship, and shared experiences are communicated through posts. By analysing images, captions, and everyday content like photo dumps, the research shows how belonging is not just experienced, but actively constructed. It reveals how social media plays a powerful role in shaping what belonging looks like and how we understand connection in everyday life.

Lightning Talk

Browse More Identity Research

More Projects

A close-up studio portrait of a young woman with a clear complexion and long, straight black hair parted centrally. She has dark eyes, full lips, and a subtle natural blush on her cheeks. Her neutral expression is directed at the viewer, and she wears a black collared shirt against a soft, light grey backdrop.

Yiling Shi

Authenticity in Communication: How Fashion Influencers Use Textual and Visual Strategies to Build Trust on Instagram
A headshot features a young woman with long, straight, dark brown hair parted down the middle, looking directly at the viewer with a broad, radiant smile. She has light green eyes and a natural complexion. She wears a light blue textured knit sweater over a black lace top, and two delicate gold necklaces with pendants. The background is a soft, plain light gray.

Mackenzie Falconer

Visual Storytelling, Identity, and Subtle Branding on Instagram
A studio headshot of a young man with warm skin tone, dark brown eyes, and a gentle smile. He has a full head of dark, curly, slightly messy hair, a faint mustache, and wears small silver stud earrings in both ears. He is dressed in a black collared zip-up top, set against a soft, light gray background.

Logan Boutros

Concussions in Hockey: Do the Rules Really Protect Players?
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