Sekhar Seshadri, a prominent child and adolescent psychiatrist, highlighted the impact of algorithms on personal identity during a recent talk titled “The Screen, Self and Algorithms.” This event was part of Our Digital Futures Fest, organized by IT for Change, a Bengaluru-based non-governmental organization dedicated to research and advocacy in digital justice. The festival runs from October 25 to November 1, coinciding with the NGO”s 25th anniversary.
In his address, moderated by author and philosopher Sundar Sarukkai, Dr. Seshadri examined how algorithms influence individual experiences, behaviors, and even self-concept. He remarked that as social beings, our identities have traditionally been shaped by family, peers, and socio-economic contexts. However, the rise of algorithms has introduced a new layer of conditioning, where thoughts and behaviors are influenced by platforms primarily focused on enhancing user engagement and consumption.
“The digital screen is no longer a passive window to the world,” he stated, noting that it actively participates in shaping users” self-perceptions. He discussed the implications of feedback loops, explaining how algorithms track user activity—such as scrolling and sharing—to create tailored profiles. This results in personalized feeds that can entrap users in echo chambers, reinforcing certain aspects of their identities while overlooking others.
Dr. Seshadri also expressed concern over the effects of constant exposure to curated representations of others” lives on social media. He warned that such comparisons can negatively impact self-esteem, especially among children and adolescents. He referred to the concept of the “quantified self,” where identity is reduced to measurable data points through tracking apps. This shift may lead individuals to rely on algorithmic insights rather than their own intuitive judgments.
While acknowledging that AI systems can offer beneficial insights and assist with emotional regulation, he cautioned against fully outsourcing introspection to these technologies. “This can lead to a significant erosion of narrative agency,” he argued, explaining that personal experiences become defined by algorithmically generated highlights rather than authentic self-reflection.
Dr. Seshadri raised critical ethical questions regarding authenticity and authorship in the digital era. “If identity and emotions are increasingly mediated by opaque systems, we must ask: Who owns the version of ourselves created by algorithms?” he queried. “Can a self truly be authentic if it is continuously optimized by unseen codes?”
He encouraged individuals to engage in more active self-construction to counteract the passive nature of algorithmic feedback. He proposed cultivating digital habits that emphasize reflective awareness, diverse media consumption, and critical evaluation of AI recommendations.
The session”s moderator, Sundar Sarukkai, contributed to the discussion by noting the profound dependence on social media in today”s highly individualized society. “The invisible social constructs are deeply influencing our lives,” he remarked, prompting a reevaluation of what it means to be human.
The inaugural day of the festival at the Bangalore International Centre also featured the launch of “People”s Digital India,” an anthology of essays published by IT for Change, alongside a photo exhibition showcasing the NGO”s field projects. Upcoming events include a conference on EdTech for equitable education and a discussion on the film “Humans in the Loop,” as well as a two-day conference exploring advanced approaches to AI innovation.
