Prior to the advent of the internet, a human’s development of identity and self-image was largely influenced via the family, religion, communities, or their own personal pursuits. Young people and adults who wanted further resources their parents or local school teachers couldn’t supply, searched for them. The most up to date technology existed in the library, where they browsed information by topic, neatly organized, yet required the labor of seeking, reading, and digesting in a quiet atmosphere. If curiosities were non-traditional to the environment they were being raised in, finding people or beliefs of the like-minded meant finding the right book or waiting patiently for television specials for programs that were scheduled weeks in advance. Prior to the proliferation of technology, there was ample time for quiet, reflection, and consideration.

 

In our current technological landscape, it is no longer a gathering of information that is labor-intensive, it is a sifting. Who we are, what we want, and what we desire, is shaped due to the large amounts of information we have access to on a daily basis. Consequently, technology and its effects on our identity and self-image are now part of most people’s psyches. As imagined, this is both exciting and troubling. Furthermore, understanding this goes beyond monitoring the amount of screen time we allow ourselves and our children. It is crucial for our mental health, as well as healthy identity formation and self-image, that we remember to think analytically, take time out to be creators, not just consumers, and check in with our inner selves on a regular basis.      

 

 

An avalanche of access

By some estimates, over half of the world’s population, 5.18 billion, have access to the internet. Of that number, over 4 billion are social media users. The newest, most popular way to make money online is by being an ‘influencer’. These content creators know that media and marketing, fed in a steady drip from our smartphone IVs, influence decisions we make, content we consume, how we live our lives, the values we develop, the goods we buy, and more. With AI and Deep Fake technology rocketing to the forefront, determining what is real and what is illusion will only intensify. In regards to identity and self-image, studies already show that many aspects of personality and functioning are affected by the use or proximity of technology.

 

Such as:

 

Thinking for ourselves

It is easy to see, when barraged with so much information, how humans experience a wide range of emotions. We are either outraged and impassioned. Or perhaps we feel utterly confused and overwhelmed. Many young people report feeling hopelessly ambivalent about politics, lifestyles, or any firm set of values. Understandably, with so much data being received on a constant basis, our baseline mood is checked out. Therefore, it is important as part of our identity formation and boosting our self-image, to become beings that are analytical. As an illustration, learning to focus on one thing at a time, not having multiple screens open. Moreover, fact-checking other sources when we read or hear about sensational news. Further, taking caution not to make hard fast judgements in a world of click-bait.    

 

What do we love?

A key component to developing identity and fostering a positive self-image is discovering what we love. Not only about the world outside but the one within. Accordingly, it is crucial to take time to be still, to think, and to reflect on what matters to us. There are so many parts of the brain stimulated when we consume technology. Although these spur inspiration and help us learn new skills, when consumed at the expense of spending healthy time with ourselves, it stunts our creativity and invokes feelings of loneliness and despair. In such a fast-paced world it is important to note that identity and self-image are fluid. Creating a foundation of encouragement, acceptance, curiosity, openness, and love for one’s self allow us to continually grow.

 

Of our own creation

One of the most sublime aspects of being human is to create. Whether we are painting, singing, writing, building, or making social connections, any unique expression of ourselves assists us in constructing our identity and bolstering a robust self-image. There is a siren that lies within technology that calls out to us to devour media. We must be mindful that although technology helps develop our passions- consuming copious amounts saps energy, creativity, and mood. Thus, constructing a life that has built-in time for peacefulness, mindfulness, and meditation allows us to be centered and revitalized. By having hobbies and interests we learn it is acceptable, even needful, to succeed AND to fail! When doing so we learn who we are, what we like, what we don’t, what we care about, and what is important to us.

 

Check-in more, check out less

Of the studies of how technology affects identity and self-image, one that is crucial to be aware of is how technology affects our ability to tolerate solitude. Although many equate loneliness or isolation to solitude, the time spent is very different. In solitude, whether in reading, being in nature, interacting with an animal, meditating, yoga, etc.- solitude is the path to figuring out who we are. For instance, when we make regular time to check in with ourselves through meditation, it expands the emotional pathways in which information is delivered to our brains, giving us more time to process what is happening in any given interaction. This allows us to make decisions about values, ideas, and mindsets. It allows inspiration and ideas to bubble up. And finally, helps us to more properly emotionally regulate. 

 

Balance in all things

There is a quote, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” If we are not mindful about what we introduce into our lives, our identity and self-image will shape itself accordingly. You are what you consume has some merit. However! All of this is not to say that binge-watching a television show, enjoying time scrolling, or participating actively with technology are bad things! As we assure we are making time for all things nurturing, our mental health will tell us when we need to check-in and when we are doing too much checking out. And when we have self-love, we will listen. To improve our mental health, to become the person we want to be, we simply do our best to balance. We will not always achieve it. And that is okay. It is all part of the journey.