3.1. Expression
Children agree that interacting on the internet, posting on social media, taking photos, and playing games allows them to express themselves and their views.
Philippines, girl, age unknown: Digital technology allows children to express themselves more. We can share our opinions, thoughts, reactions, suggestions, and problems.
Canada, girl, 15: Conversations with friends and family – I use digital technologies to communicate with them by using memes that relate to our lives and our friendship. This is how I express my love for our friendship and how much I value it in my life.
Pakistan, boy, 13: [I] blog... my life story so [other people] can learn about it.
Lebanon, boy, 17: [Through] rap (sharing YouTube videos)... I express the needs of the community and the suffering of citizens and the weaknesses of politics, and [uncertain] security situation, and... the future and feelings of young people.
Building self-confidence, overcoming shyness, expressing opinions, and finding validation are ways in which the online world empowers children, according to their own statements. It allows them to reach a larger—even international—audience, and the digital environment also offers psychological benefits.
Malaysia, girl, 14: [It] allows us to say things that we might not dare to say in person.
South Korea, girl, 13: I can say what I think on the internet.
Philippines, gender and age unknown: Being able to express ourselves on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram helps prevent depression and forces us to deal with our problems.
These very positive views are countered by a feeling of discrimination and criticism, which many children say prevents them from expressing themselves freely. They fear negative feedback from others.
Brazil, girl, 14: In the digital world, we have a lot of space to express our opinions, but they are not always received with the respect we are entitled to.
Pakistan, boy, 16: I am too influenced by other people and how they might see me.
Germany, girl, 18: [I don't express myself online because] I'm afraid of being bullied.
New Zealand, gender and age unknown: On the internet, we are more vulnerable to people judging our thoughts and opinions, which makes it harder for us to express ourselves freely. We tend to suppress our thoughts in order to fit into a certain mold so that we are not judged by the internet. This shows that this right is often violated by access to the internet.
Children around the world appreciate the opportunities to express themselves online, but find the hostility and exposure that can characterize the digital environment inhibiting.
Nepal, girl, 14: Many people have inner talents, but they are shy about showing them to other people... Digital technologies have created a platform for these kinds of people and for others as well.
Germany, boy, 16: I am often more open online than in real life. [It is] less complicated online.
3.2 Identity
Some children say that digital technologies offer them opportunities to question, formulate, and explore who they want to be—both online and offline.
Romania, girl, 15: With the help of the internet, you can carve out your own personality.
Canada, girl, 15: [Digital technologies] have introduced me to important aspects that I identify with, such as feminism [and] equal rights for all.
Canada, girl, 15: [Digital technology allows me to] learn about environmental issues around the world, which I think is very important. In this way, social media helps me develop my identity.
Germany, girl, 16: I find more acceptance on the internet than in my real environment, which makes me realize that it's okay to be different.
Others say they feel that social media and networks have a negative impact on their sense of identity and limit their ability to be themselves.
Canada, girl, 18: It pigeonholes who I should be and what I believe in. Social media prevents me from living my authentic self because I know what others think and believe I am, even if it's different from who I really am.
Brazil, girl, 14: Since we are exposed to different types of content and are judged based on our social media profiles, we can end up losing our identity because the way others see us changes.
Canada, girl, 17: Following positive blogs/accounts helps me remember that I am not alone as a child with different ethnic roots. Hearing/reading the stories of other people/teens with different ethnic roots and connecting with them helps me a lot.
The majority of children who responded to the topic of identity (92%) feel that they are not always the same person online and offline, which is an important finding. Some report the opportunity to experiment with different ways of being and their relationships with others online. Others say they feel pressure to present a curated self.