When we discuss identity, we must also discuss reputation. Many young people are going to extreme lengths to improve their reputations online buy undertaking peer-driven trends ad crazes which can present real-life physical risks. Dangerous stunts such as the Sunburnt Art challenge, the Ice and Salt challenge and the Duct Tape challenge draw in individuals and entice them to add these ‘notches to their belt’ and to proudly own their success online.
Jo Harris from Kidspot commented: ‘These challenges, games, stunts, whatever you want to call them, are designed to give kids notoriety among their peers and on social media. They participate, film, upload and watch their popularity soar before their very eyes’ (2016). Seven years on from her comments and we are still witnessing the tirade of dangerous stunts being performed online all by young people who crave the spotlight and just want to be cool.
Young people may not be able to separate their identity from their reputations. Their perception of the way the virtual and real worlds work and what their place in those two worlds might be skewed, biased, or distorted depending upon their experience. Exploring these concepts can be useful in the context of discussing with them the culture around online sharing. It may be useful to consider how identity develops online and in real life (is it different?) and how it might change over time. Clarifying these concepts with young people could be a very positive way to begin a more open dialogue with them in future.