The faces behind the feeds: Gen Z’s private lives and public posts

For the first digital natives, there are two places to express yourself: in the comfort of your own room and online. Photographer Niccolò Rastrelli set out to find out how the identities compare

The faces behind the feeds: Gen Z’s private lives and public posts

TL;DR

  • Photographer Niccolò Rastrelli's project "IRL" examines the identities of Gen Z, the first generation of "digital natives."
  • The project contrasts intimate portraits taken in subjects' bedrooms with snapshots of their social media activity.
  • Bedrooms are presented as significant spaces for identity construction, similar to social media platforms.
  • Gen Z uses social media for diverse purposes, including personal expression, professional networking, and as a "work tool."
  • Many young people maintain multiple social media accounts to manage different aspects of their identity and privacy.
  • Platforms like Facebook are less popular with Gen Z, who favor newer social media sites.
  • The article touches on debates about the potential dangers of social media for young people, alongside contrasting viewpoints from Gen Z themselves.
  • Specific individuals like Lana, Francesco, Stevie, Sofia, Roberto, Mark, Melina, Anna, Andrea, Ali, and Silvia share their personal experiences and approaches to social media.