As digital technologies transform the lives of young people across the globe, profound shifts are occurring in the way young people negotiate their identities.
This talk will explore how these new technologies are shaping youth development in general and youth identity development in particular, with a special focus on Türkiye. A recent systematic review examined academic research on adolescent identity development, providing a comprehensive evaluation and highlighting that scholarly work does not reflect the global distribution of adolescents. Although over 85% of the world’s youth live in Africa, Asia and Latin America, only 15% of studies explore these regions, revealing a critical gap in global perspectives on youth.
As more young people encounter curated lives, negative content and online pressures, early evidence suggests detrimental effects on their social and emotional well-being. Additionally, constant exposure to distressing global news, from poverty to climate change, adds another layer of stress, complicating how young people develop their sense of self in a hyperconnected yet fragmented world. This talk will present a conceptual framework for understanding the global impact of digital technologies, including social media and AI, on youth. It will address mental health risks and emphasise the need for inclusive research that considers the digital realities faced by young people in diverse cultural contexts. Lastly, strategies will be suggested to support the next generation as they navigate these evolving digital landscapes.
Speaker:
Selçuk R. Şirin (@SelcukRSirin) Ph.D., is an NYU Professor of Applied Psychology focused on marginalized youth, improving education and mental health services for African American, Muslim American, immigrant, and refugee children. His award-winning research spans the U.S., Europe, and Türkiye. Şirin co-authored "Muslim American Youth" in the U.S., five bestsellers in Türkiye, and launched the 1 Million Book Project, delivering free children's books in Türkiye. He also writes a weekly column for Oksijen newspaper.
Chair:
Yaprak Gürsoy (@ygursoy) is Professor of European Politics and Chair of Contemporary Turkish Studies at LSE. She has worked on Turkish politics, democratization and regime consolidation. She is the author of Between Military Rule and Democracy: Regime Consolidation in Greece, Turkey, and Beyond.
More about this event
Contemporary Turkish Studies focuses on the politics and economy of Türkiye and its relations with the rest of Europe. The programme aims to promote a deeper understanding of contemporary Türkiye through interdisciplinary and critical research, teaching and related public activities.
This keynote lecture is part of the workshop titled "Navigating the Nexus of Intelligent Media, Politics, and Academia: The Case of Türkiye in a Global Perspective."
Hashtag for this event: #LSETürkiye