Under the umbrella topic of new media, and specifically the internet, as a tool for self exploration and expression, I am very interested in the negative aspects of the internet on the developmental "self". I am not one of those people who necessarily thinks that the internet is dangerous and evil for everybody, but looking back on my own social-development I can see where even basic communication tools like instant messaging negatively affected me. Sitting behind a computer where we can't see the way things we say to each other affect the other person really desensitizes us. Things such as internet-stalking are really prevalent even among pre-teen age groups. The influence of peers on judgement, especially in these stages of self-exploration, can be an extremely negative thing if bad behavior is being validated. This can also stand true for us as adults, something many of us do not want to realize.
This study was very informative in these terms:
http://www.sociology.org/content/vol005.003/ia.html
With this in mind I think it would be interesting to get a discussion group among different age groups together, even if this was set up online. Self-esteem-building activities that encourage individuality and an acceptance of all types of interests and personal styles could be extremely beneficial.
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