Perhaps each generation see online life differently. Growing up digital is different to learning how to use technology as a mature or developed person. We must continually seek to understand how young people connect with and create their own communities in order to best prepare them for success with using technology.

Online life is REAL life for most young people today and they are learning to navigate the complex world. 

Our role? Support them by understanding the role technology plays in their life and build open relationships with deliberate processes in place to ensure you are communicating about this!

Our role as parents and educators of young people is to have them reflect about the similarities of who they are online and who they want to be “in real life” will help them understand that there shouldn’t be a difference if they want to create a positive representation of themselves. Use the questions and infographic below to have a forum style conversation with the young people in your life about the how now more than ever our online and offline lives are connected. 

• Have you ever felt pressure to be a different version of yourself when online?
• Is your online identity different to your offline identity?
• Do you behave differently “in real life” to how you behave online?
• How does your online life filter into your real life?