Trying on different styles, interests, beliefs, and ways of presenting ourselves has always been a part of growing up. Today, much of that identity exploration happens online, where young people can experiment with who they are. But how do likes, comments, algorithms, and peer expectations influence who they feel they should be? How might children perform differently in online spaces, presenting alternative versions of themselves? What happens when an AI chatbot becomes a place for personal questions, trying out identities, or seeking guidance about who they are?
Join Children and Screens on Thursday, October 8, at 12:00pm ET for the #AskTheExperts webinar “Who is the ‘Real Me’? How Online Life Influences Youth Identity Development.” Part three of our “Character Matters: Values and Resilience in the Digital Age” will explore how digital experiences shape the way youth navigate their developing identities. Parents and caregivers will leave with guidance for recognizing when digital identity exploration is a healthy part of growing up, when it may be affecting a child’s well-being, and how to support young people as they figure out who they are, both online and offline.
Moderator and speaker details coming soon.
The “Character Matters” series is made possible through the support of Grant 63314 from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.