Adolescentes y redes sociales: identidad digital, autoestima y validación social

The digital identity—the construction of the self in virtual environments through information and communication technologies—has become a central phenomenon in contemporary adolescent socialization. This article examines how digital identity is configured in adolescents aged 12 to 16 and identifies the most frequent psychosocial risks associated with this construction, including self-image, external validation, overexposure, and hypersexualization. A mixed-methods design was employed, consisting of two complementary phases. Firstly, a two-round Delphi technique was conducted with 14 experts from the educational, health, and psychological fields to achieve professional consensus. Subsequently, two focus groups were held with 32 enrolled adolescents to explore their direct experiences and perceptions. The findings reveal clear patterns in the creation of an idealized self-image, a strong pursuit of social approval via "likes" and followers, and the frequent adoption of alternative identities under anonymity. Regarding preventive strategies, those most valued include media literacy, critical and dialogic parental mediation, and the fostering of emotional and digital competencies. Furthermore, the study underscores the crucial importance of incorporating the adolescents' own perspectives in the development of curricular materials and educational programs. These results offer practical, evidence-based guidelines for families, educators, and psychosocial professionals, aiming to promote healthier digital development.