Youth Self-Esteem and Identity: The Media(ted) Self

“Who am I?” “Where do I fit in?” Adolescence has always been a profound time of self exploration and identity formation – how has the advent of social media and digital technologies for communication and self-representation changed how youth navigate who they are and how they feel about themselves? What are the risks and opportunities for forming a positive and healthy sense of self in a hyper-connected age?  

Children and Screens hosted the “Ask The Experts” webinar “Youth Self-Esteem and Identity: The Media(ted) Self” on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. A panel of psychologists, researchers, and parenting experts explored social media’s impact on adolescent self-concept and self-presentation, considerations for specific racial and gender subpopulations of youth, and tips for parents and caregivers on how to foster youth resilience in the face of social comparison and other unique online pressures that may impact healthy self-esteem and identity.