Childhood in the age of digital culture

ABSTRACT

For many, childhood is a time when they have a certain capacity to make independent choices and decisions. If socialized in communal spaces, children begin to create their own peer cultures. A lesser-discussed peer culture is the one that exists in the digital space. This paper investigates how the increased use of technology among youth impacts the creation of peer cultures online. Ideas and construction of the self will be explored through the mapping of youth identity formation online, an analysis of existing media literacy courses through the lens of Dewey’s educational theories, and the discussion of social media in Theatre for Youth productions supported by Nellie McCaslin’s writings on technology and children.

Disclosure statement

As an international student who has been in America for 7 years, I am extremely interested in work that reflects the complex human condition and creative processes that are highly accessible to a wide range of participating groups. These include participants with different abilities, age ranges, and skills set. Much like my interest in exploring the multilayered human experience, this paper seeks to encourage drama educators and theatre makers to explore “new” education and devised theatre methodologies that incorporate the growing field of technology among youth, deepening our understanding of youth culture in the field of Theatre for Youth. Furthermore, using methodologies that echo daily practices of youth will likely encourage the production of performances that build the young performer’s self-esteem, and deepen their ability for self-reflexivity through the weaving together and presentation of their personal strengths in the creative process.