Social media has become the modern diary, public square and stage upon which individuals perform their lives. Unlike the private journals of old, the digital spaces people occupy are rarely hidden from others. Every status update, photo, tweet or story is not only a record of self-expression but also an invitation for others to read, interpret and judge. In this way, social media is both a text and a mirror: it reveals something about the character of the one who writes while simultaneously opening them to moral scrutiny. The process of characterisation and moralization through posts is therefore inevitable, and in many ways, it is shaping how people live and how others perceive them.
Characterisation begins the moment a person shares anything online. A post is never just a post; it is a performance of identity. Someone who constantly shares inspirational quotes is reaching for optimism, either as a personal reminder or as a way of encouraging others. Another who fills their feed with sarcastic jokes may be read as witty, playful, or even cynical. The choices people make in what to show or conceal online are revealing, even when they try to curate a particular image. A carefully staged photo of a holiday trip, a humble picture of home, or even a blank profile can communicate volumes about how a person wants to be seen. Readers of these posts, whether friends or strangers, create mental portraits from these fragments. In this way, characterisation on social media resembles literary characterisation: personality is not only conveyed but also demonstrated through words, actions, tone, and style.
Language, in particular, plays a decisive role in how character is constructed online. Some write long, reflective posts in a poetic tone, while others prefer short, blunt remarks that convey directness or impatience. Emojis, memes, or even the decision to post without words all contribute to shaping an online persona. Beyond words, the rhythm of posting also becomes an integral part of characterisation. The person who shares constantly may be read as attention-seeking or deeply expressive, while the one who posts rarely might appear reserved or guarded. Even responses to comments become telling moments: a gentle, patient reply characterises one as thoughtful, while a defensive or dismissive one paints them as proud or intolerant. Thus, every interaction leaves traces of personality, building a picture that may or may not align with the private self.
But social media is not just descriptive; it is evaluative. People do not stop at noticing what someone posts—they attach moral meaning to it. This is where moralization comes in. A post about helping people experiencing poverty can be read as a virtuous act, a testament to compassion and generosity. Yet the same post can be criticised as performative, showing off kindness for likes and validation. Similarly, venting anger against an institution may be judged as bitterness or as bravery. The interpretation depends less on the post itself and more on the values of the audience. Social media creates a moral marketplace where every act is subject to approval or condemnation, often in exaggerated ways.
READ ALSO:
The lifestyle one portrays is especially prone to moralization. Images of luxury cars, foreign trips, or expensive dinners may attract admiration, but they may also provoke accusations of arrogance, materialism, or insensitivity. On the other hand, posting about modest living, homegrown food, or family moments might earn praise for humility and authenticity. The problem is that no post exists outside the moral gaze of others. Even silence can be judged. When global or local issues dominate the conversation, those who do not speak may be accused of indifference or cowardice, while those who speak too much may be accused of virtue signalling. Thus, morality is projected onto presence and absence alike, creating a climate where every choice seems loaded with ethical weight.
This moralization process reveals more about society than about the individual being judged. People use others’ posts as a canvas onto which they project their expectations of what is right or wrong. A post about wealth is condemned not only because of the wealth itself, but also because society is grappling with the issue of inequality. A post about leisure may be judged negatively in a culture that prizes constant productivity. In this sense, social media moralization functions as an ongoing dialogue about shared values, with individuals serving as examples, warnings, or heroes in the eyes of their digital audience.
At the same time, this dynamic creates tension for the one posting. If everything is subject to moralization, how authentic can self-expression be? Some people respond by carefully curating their profiles, presenting only the safest and most morally acceptable version of themselves. Others rebel, posting freely and defiantly, regardless of judgment, creating an online persona that thrives on controversy. Either way, the fear or expectation of moral judgment influences what people choose to reveal. Authenticity and performance become blurred, and characterisation becomes both genuine and staged. A post may reveal who a person is, but it may just as easily reveal who they want to be in the eyes of others.
This dual process of characterisation and moralization highlights the paradox of social media. On one hand, it is empowering: it gives individuals the power to narrate themselves, to choose the words, images, and moods that define them. On the other hand, it is limiting, as it subjects them to relentless interpretation and judgment by audiences who may know little about their true selves. The posts that seem trivial—photos of food, complaints about traffic, jokes about politics—are never truly neutral. They become texts open to analysis, shaping how others think about the person and how they measure them against the moral yardstick of the day.
Ultimately, social media renders every person both an author and a character, both a moral agent and a subject of ethical evaluation. One cannot escape characterisation, for every post tells a story, even if it is the story of silence. One cannot escape moralization, for every audience comes with values, ready to praise or condemn. This reality calls for both caution and courage. I’m just warning you, because not everything should be posted, and once online, words cannot be easily recalled. Courage, because self-expression loses meaning if it is entirely shackled by fear of moral judgment. The balance lies in knowing that social media is a theatre where selfhood is performed and judged, and that true character is not only what one posts but how one lives beyond the screen.
By Ashford Kimani
Ashford teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub-county and serves as Dean of Studies.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
