Brazilian Journals Publicações de Periódicos e Editora Ltda.
Abstract
This study is part of a body of research that seeks to understand an individual's social and cultural identity through their intensive use of social media and membership of virtual communities. It explores the impact of this engagement on their religious, moral and social values. The researcher drew on a variety of specialist references to uncover this social phenomenon. It was found that virtual communities represent a parallel social life to real society, serving as an alternative space. Individuals have begun to replace their real communities with virtual ones, where they find fulfilment of their desires and achievement of their social aspirations, often neglecting their social values. This shift leads to the globalisation of their ideas and beliefs, resulting in the formation of a new identity with unclear characteristics
