HOW GENERATION ZOOMERS REPRESENT THEMSELVES THROUGH SECOND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS? LESSONS LEARNED FROM ACEH, INDONESIA

Abstract

This study explores using "second accounts" on the Instagram platform as a medium of self-expression among the Zoomer generation in Lhokseumawe City, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The research involved ten individuals from various areas of Lhokseumawe. Primary data were collected through observations and interviews, while secondary data were obtained from literature reviews. Data analysis was conducted using the Interactive Data Analysis (IDA) Model. The findings indicate that using second accounts has emerged as a new trend among Zoomers in Lhokseumawe. Second, account holders use Instagram Stories to express their identities and share personal narratives. Unlike primary accounts, which typically construct a curated public image, second accounts are more private and allow users to be selective about who can view their content. This privacy enables users to express themselves more freely and authentically.