State Capabilities in Shaping Youth Identity Online: Insights from Expert Surveys

Recent studies on youth identity formation in the digital realm have predominantly focused on issues related to virtual or online identity. This study, however, redirects attention toward the challenges of shaping real-world identity through online platforms. Guided by a constructivist methodology, the research draws upon the findings of an expert online survey conducted in November 2024. Discourse analysis was employed to analyze the collected data. The surveyed experts unanimously support the importance of the state’s role in fostering youth identity via internet resources but emphasize the nuances associated with different types of online platforms. Particularly, they highlight the potential impact of entertainment and gaming websites on identity development among young Russians. Experts warn against adopting rigid, bureaucratic approaches when crafting identity-related policies online, stressing instead the need for subtle, tailored strategies. Furthermore, the results affirm the ongoing tension between reinforcement and mobilization theories regarding how modern information technologies shape political awareness and citizen identity.