Youth Identity in the Age of Fake Engagement

The Illusion of Popularity

For today’s kids, growing up online means growing up in a world where numbers (likes, shares, followers) often stand in for genuine connection. But what happens when much of that “engagement” is fake, inflated by bots or manipulated by trends? The result is a distorted sense of popularity and worth that can deeply influence how young people form their identities.

How Fake Engagement Shapes Youth Culture

Bots are not just digital nuisances. They actively shape youth culture by elevating certain content, influencing visibility, and skewing perception of what is “popular” or “normal.”

For example, research published on arXiv shows that bots can account for nearly 20 percent of social media chatter during major events. This means the “popularity” of certain posts or ideas may not reflect genuine human interest but rather automated amplification. When children and teens encounter this online, they may believe something is universally admired or trending, when in reality much of the engagement is artificially created.

The Impact of Social Media Likes on Teen Self-Esteem

Adolescence is a critical time for identity development, and young people often look for validation from peers. A study by the University of Rochester found that teens who receive fewer “likes” on their posts report feeling rejected and often experience more negative self-talk. This shows how deeply tied digital metrics are to feelings of self-worth.

When engagement is inflated by bots or trolls, it creates an unrealistic benchmark. Kids may measure their value against numbers that do not represent authentic human connection at all.

Social Comparison and Online Identity

Young people frequently compare themselves to idealized images of peers and influencers. Psychologists call this upward social comparison. When bots inflate attention around these images, the comparisons become even harsher. According to social comparison theory, these mismatched comparisons can foster low self-esteem and increase anxiety.

Why Fake Engagement Matters for Youth Identity

When identity formation is influenced by fake engagement, children risk internalizing values based not on their strengths or real relationships but on artificial attention metrics. The gap between who they are and who they think they “should” be widens, fueling feelings of inadequacy.

How Parents and Teachers Can Support Kids

1. Talk openly about bots and fake engagement
Make sure kids know not all online attention is real. This awareness helps them question the metrics they see.

2. Redefine what counts as “success”
Encourage pride in effort, creativity, kindness, and learning—qualities that no bot can manufacture.

3. Foster offline validation
Strong family relationships, friendships, and community experiences can give children a more grounded sense of identity.

4. Teach digital literacy and critical thinking
Practice asking questions together: Why is this trending? Who benefits from it being visible? What voices might be missing?

Building Real Confidence in a Fake World

While bots and trolls may distort what popularity looks like, adults can help kids resist the illusion. By guiding them toward authentic experiences and teaching them to think critically about what they see online, we can ensure their identities grow from a place of truth rather than manufactured attention.