Digital identity is formed through what children post, share, like, create, search, play, and comment on. It is also shaped by what others tag, say, screenshot, or share about them.

A digital footprint is the trail of information a person leaves behind online. It can include photos, posts, messages, account activity, search history, app data, location information, and public comments.

Children can influence their digital footprint, but they cannot fully control it. Once something is shared online, it may be copied, saved, forwarded, screenshotted, or seen by people they did not expect.

Avatars are digital representations of a person in games, apps, virtual worlds, or online platforms. They may look realistic, cartoon-like, imaginary, or very different from the person using them.

Digital twins are digital versions or copies of a person, object, or system. In children’s digital lives, the idea can help explain how data, profiles, images, and online behaviour can create a version of them that others may see or use.

Online profiles can affect how children see themselves. Likes, comments, filters, comparison, popularity, and edited images can make children feel valued, judged, anxious, or pressured to present a perfect version of themselves.

Likes and comments can feel like signs of approval, belonging, status, or rejection. For young people still forming their identity, online reactions can strongly influence confidence, mood, friendships, and self-worth.

Children can protect their online reputation by thinking before posting, keeping personal information private, using respectful language, avoiding impulsive comments, checking privacy settings, and asking whether a future version of themselves would be comfortable with what they share.

Stories can show characters facing pressure to perform, pretend, compare, or hide online. Through fiction, children can explore digital identity, self-image, popularity, reputation, and authenticity without feeling personally judged.