Teens, Friends, and Being True to Yourself Online

Teens often try out different versions of themselves with friends. This is normal. It's part of growing up.

Friends play a big role in this. They help teens figure out who they are and who they want to be.

The Study

A recent study wanted to see how teens feel when they chat online with friends they also know in real life.

The study looked at:

• Why teens do this
• If these reasons affect how real or fake they feel during these chats

Participants

• 130 teens, aged 13 to 17
• Shared their experiences
• Talked about their online chats with friends in the past day

Findings

The study found two main types of motivations:

1. Voluntary Chatting

   • Teens chat because they want to
   • Leads to state authenticity
   • Feeling real and true to who you are in the moment
   • Explains a big part of why teens feel authentic online

2. Obligatory Chatting

   • Teens chat out of guilt or obligation
   • Leads to state inauthenticity
   • Feeling like you're not being your true self
   • Larger study needed to see if this has a small effect

Conclusion

• When teens chat online with friends because they enjoy it, they feel more like themselves.
• Helps them grow and feel good about who they are.
• When they chat because they feel they have to, they feel less like themselves.
• Makes it harder for them to grow and thrive.