In the contemporary era, media have attracted scholarly attention as one of the most significant factors influencing identity. Research in this domain, which has gained considerable momentum in recent years, has been characterized by thematic diversity, with each study approaching the subject of identity and media from a specific perspective. Consequently, it became necessary to synthesize and analyze the findings of existing studies to provide a multidimensional, comprehensive, and analytical overview of the current research landscape.



The present study, by reviewing key theories of identity and employing a systematic review methodology, examined 53 scientific studies published between 2005 and 2024. It concluded that the majority of the research has been conducted using either qualitative or quantitative methods, with mixed-methods approaches receiving considerably less attention. Furthermore, through an analysis of the findings, five main themes were identified: First, the types of interaction between adolescent identity and media (dualistic/combinatorial) in cyberspace; second, the impact of media on dimensions of identity, including the weakening of national and religious identity in the face of global media, gender identity confusion, and the reinforcement of individualism; third, factors influencing identity crisis, such as usage duration, the role of family, and media type; fourth, the identity-forming function of media in creating subcultures; and fifth, the uneven research focus on different types of identity. Methodological gaps in these studies also include a lack of longitudinal research, geographical limitations of samples, and the predominance of Western theories.