The Role of New Media in the Identity Transformation of the New Generation of Migrant Workers

Abstract

The new generation of migrant workers has become a large population in China. After leaving their rural hometown and entering big cities, they face the challenge of identity transformation. As an indispensable component of modern life, the rapidly developing new media plays an important role in their adaptation and integration into urban life. This research examines how and to what extent new media facilitates the identity transformation of the new generation of migrant workers by conducting qualitative interviews. It is found that although new media can help the new generation of migrant workers realize the transformation in job hunting, daily life, entertainment, social life and education, the effect on helping them break through the identity barrier is still limited. New media’s different role in their material life and spiritual life, changes in their use of new media after coming to cities, and their motivations for using new media have been discussed as well.