Clicks That Leave A Mark: Digital Identity Management and Online Protection For Young People

With the deployment of digital networks and platforms, managing young people's online identity and protection represents a challenge in a society influenced by the media in terms of what is shared and how people interact. This research aims to explore the digital self-protection strategies used by adolescents in the face of the risks associated with building their digital identity, in situations such as contact with strangers, overexposure on social networks, and the use of online entertainment platforms. Using a descriptive strategy and quantitative methodology, surveys were administered to 7,965 students in middle and high school, as well as 15,519 high school students. Emerging knowledge regarding safety was obtained, revealing risky behaviors such as posting on social media and contacting strangers on virtual platforms, a situation that highlights the need for media, information, and digital literacy, as well as education that encompasses not only technical knowledge of the tools but also reflection on privacy, security, and digital identity