our developing "selves"

In our society, we are predisposed virtually at birth to be concerned with what others think about you.  We are told from a very young age to act a certain way, talk a certain way, and interact with others a certain way in order to fit with the flow of society.  Our “true” self is built up through our experiences and knowledge that we gain throughout our lives.  As children, it is not easy to know what kind of person you want to be right away.  Kids tend to experiment with different personas and act in different ways, almost as if they were “trying on” different selves.  Now in our society it is even easier for kids to try on these different selves with the aid of all the technology available.  It is easy to create different or even multiple personalities online that aren’t really what these kids are in real life.  The self is almost allowed to develop faster because it is so easy for kids to try many different personalities and selves that they can find the one that fits them the best faster.  I think many adults are very skeptical about the use of technology and how it is becoming so prevalent in the everyday lives of kids.  But I hope they are able to realize that no where in the near future will technology not be available and not be constantly advancing, so it is to the kids benefits to be able to get accustomed to the technology and use it to their advantage.  I have even noticed from my time in middle school when technology was first starting to become very prevalent to now all the changes in kids and society due to the technology.  For example, when I was in middle school, we would AIM each other, but we didn’t have cell phones or social networking sites to also be in contact with each other. It was hard to get to know kids outside of your classes at school because you weren’t able to communicate with them easily. Now, my little brother is in 6^th grade, and with all the advances in technology, it is super easy for him to be friends with and keep in touch with almost everyone in his grade and that he used to be friends with.  Now the middle school students use SKYPE, which they can also videochat with, and text on their phones. I have noticed that my brother and most of his friends are much more confident than I ever remember anyone being when I was in middle school.  I think this shows the changes being made to kids and society by technology, and that they are able to find their “selves” faster and easier.