Paper Short Abstract:

This ethnographic study examines how Jewish-Muslim mixed families in Israel and the UK navigate identity expression on social media, exploring the tension between visibility and concealment in digital spaces.

Paper Abstract:

This study explores how social networks function as an arena for identity construction among Jewish-Muslim families in Israel and the UK. While digital spaces have become increasingly significant for identity expression in recent years, mixed families in conflict-affected societies face unique challenges in navigating their online presence, often balancing between visibility and concealment. The research employs digital ethnography to explore three key dimensions: a. Experiential storytelling: How mixed families utilize digital platforms to narrate their unique stories while negotiating societal tensions and family dynamics. b. Reflexive engagement: How family members reflect on and respond to their complex identities through posts, comments, and shares, particularly in contexts where their identities may be contested or challenged. c. Interactive narrative bridging: The ways families navigate between their complex identities in physical reality and their digital representation, especially when managing varying degrees of visibility across different social contexts. This study offers novel insights into how digital spaces both enable and constrain mixed families' ability to rewrite their identity narratives, as they negotiate complex social and political contexts in both societies. The comparative analysis reveals how different societal pressures shape digital identity expression and concealment strategies among mixed families.