Social Media and Teen Identity | Kareena Antony & Emma Qiao | TEDxClearLakeHighSchool

From the rise of “aesthetics”, to celebrity worship syndrome/unhealthy parasocial relationships, to even the underrepresentation/misrepresentation of minority groups, social media stymies the crucial stages of self exploration and discovery of a teenager’s identities. Consequentially as the influence of social media increases, so does the prevalence of the teenage identity crisis. Due to the expected aims social media presents to the growing minds of teenagers, this causes a push and pull between conforming to “trendy identities” and one’s true identity. As trends come and go, so does the association of teens identities which aggravates defining yourself within a society of change. Rather than creating our identity through experiential memories, we hover over periods of identity trials provoked through mass media, leading to a never found sense of consistency within individuals.  For Kareena and her speaking partner Emma, 2020 marked the beginning of what became an ongoing identity crisis; and they are not the only ones. As social media becomes an increasingly more prevalent constituent of every day life, Kareena and Emma aim to discuss the question; am I really a reflection of my true identity, or rather a fabricated version based on media trends and micro-labels. Through this speech, Kareena and Emma hope to utilize their new understanding and research to bring to light the effects of social media on the development of one’s identity.

For Emma and her speech partner Kareena, 2020 marked the beginning of what became an ongoing identity crisis; and they are not the only ones. As social media becomes an increasingly more prevalent constituent of every day life, Kareena and Emma aim to discuss the question; am I really a reflection of my true identity, or rather a fabricated version based on media trends and micro-labels. Through this speech, Kareena and Emma hope to utilize their new understanding and research to bring to light the effects of social media on the development of one’s identity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx