Youth and Identity: Digital Vulnerability and Online Extremist Discourses

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the process of identity formation and the search for authenticity in youth, highlighting the interaction between the individual and the social environment. The objective was to understand how the need for validation and belonging in adolescence influences mental health and digital behavior. The methodology employed consisted of a qualitative literature review, using academic databases to cross-reference information on psychosocial development and the impact of social networks. The results indicate that the influence of social, cultural, and familial factors is determinant, potentially leading young people toward both identity strengthening and the adoption of risk behaviors. It was observed that digital vulnerability favors the romanticization of psychological disorders and exposure to extremist discourses, denialism, and misinformation. In conclusion, the development of a healthy and autonomous identity directly depends on access to balanced emotional support networks and high-quality information. Such elements are essential to mitigate the risks of social maladaptation and ensure the safety of young people in both virtual and physical environments, promoting a transition to adulthood with greater resilience and critical awareness of prevailing social structures.