Algorithms are playing a significant role in shaping personal identities in today”s digital world, according to Sekhar Seshadri, a prominent child and adolescent psychiatrist. During a talk titled “The Screen, Self, and Algorithms,” part of the “Our Digital Futures Fest” organized by IT for Change, a Bengaluru-based NGO focused on digital justice, he discussed the implications of algorithm-driven self-perception. The festival runs from October 25 to November 1 to celebrate the NGO”s 25th anniversary.
Dr. Seshadri, speaking at the event moderated by author and philosopher Sundar Sarukkai, highlighted how algorithms influence not only individual behaviors and experiences but also the very essence of self-identity. He emphasized that while our identities have historically been shaped by social contexts, such as family and peer groups, algorithms now condition our thoughts and behaviors primarily to enhance user engagement and consumption.
“The digital screen has transformed from a passive portal to an active entity that significantly influences our sense of self,” he stated. He explained how algorithms create feedback loops by tracking user interactions, such as scrolling and sharing, to form tailored profiles that are then presented back to users through personalized content feeds. This process can lead to echo chambers where certain facets of identity are reinforced while others are overlooked.
Dr. Seshadri also raised ethical concerns regarding the impact of social media on self-esteem, particularly among children and adolescents. He noted that the constant exposure to curated representations of others” lives can foster negative comparisons, adversely affecting self-worth. Additionally, he criticized the trend of “quantified self,” where individuals rely on tracking apps to monitor aspects of their lives, such as sleep and mood, reducing rich personal experiences to mere data points.
“This leads to a troubling reliance on algorithms for self-judgment,” he remarked, cautioning that as introspection becomes outsourced to technology, it undermines individual narrative agency. Life events are increasingly narrated not through personal reflection but through algorithmically generated highlights on platforms such as Instagram.
Dr. Seshadri pointed out the profound psychological implications of allowing opaque systems to mediate identity, emotion, and narrative. “If our understanding of ourselves is increasingly shaped by machines, we must ask: to whom does the algorithmically constructed version of ourselves truly belong?” he pondered.
He urged individuals to engage in active self-construction as a counterbalance to passive consumption of algorithmic feedback. This includes cultivating digital habits that emphasize reflective awareness, diverse media consumption, and critical evaluation of AI recommendations. Sundar Sarukkai added to the discussion by noting the deep dependence on social media in today”s individualized society, highlighting the need for introspection about our human experience.
The festival”s inaugural day at the Bangalore International Centre featured the launch of “People”s Digital India,” an anthology of essays published by IT for Change, along with a photo exhibition showcasing the NGO”s field projects. Upcoming events include a conference on EdTech for Equitable Education, a discussion related to the film “Humans in the Loop,” and a two-day conference on innovative approaches to AI from October 31 to November 1, with the photo exhibition continuing on those dates.
