The impact of technology on the development of self-concepts in children, including possible selves and feared selves

Abstract

The impact of technology on the brain has been researched extensively in a myriad of psychological domains. The development of self-concepts in childhood is influenced by technology, such as phones, computers, and social media. Self-concepts, meaning self-perceptions in various life contexts, include possible selves (future perceptions of the self), and feared selves (future perceptions of the self that are undesirable). In America, children as young as 8 years old are using social media, with a 17% increase in social media usage for 8–12-year-olds from 4.75 hours to 5.5 hours in 2020-2022, higher than the previous four years. Considering these statistics, it is imperative to reflect on the effect of this time spent using technology on how children think about themselves. Lastly, interventions for strong self-concept and possible self-development for children will be explored. Future directions could expand on the impact of technology on children’s self-concepts based on different cultures and races, and types of technology interaction, including consuming, creating, playing and writing. As youth become increasingly enraptured by new technological advances, such as artificial intelligence, their benefits and effects constantly shape their attitudes and behaviours, which will their present and future self.