Avatars and Digital Selves—Authentic Identity or a Chosen Projection?
Young Americans no longer introduce themselves simply by saying, “This is who I am.” Instead, they present themselves through Roblox, Fortnite, TikTok avatars, or social media profiles. Recent surveys show that 61% of Gen Z use avatars, and some even feel that these digital versions of themselves are more authentic than their real-life selves. The following is a dialogue based on this idea. A: These days, I see a lot of people treating their avatars or profile images as their “real” selves. Sometimes, the version of me I create in Roblox or Fortnite feels even more honest than who I am offline. B: But is that really “you”? At the end of the day, an avatar is something you’ve crafted. Isn’t it more like a virtual version you’ve built to make up for what feels missing or difficult in real life? C: Still, I made that version, so it’s not completely fake. In fact, the friends I meet online know me through that avatar, and sometimes the connection feels even stronger than in real life. B: But that could also cause confusion. If your online identity and your real-life self grow too far apart, it might actually create more anxiety or instability. A: So here’s the real question: 👉 Is an online avatar or digital self the real me, or just another version of the person I want to be? And how might this kind of identity affect our communities and society as a whole? 🙋♀️ Closing This debate begins with conversations like these. If you were in this discussion, what would you say?
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