Insulating Youth Development From Algorithmic Narrowing
The Big Problem
Adolescence has always been a time for trying on different versions of the self—experimenting with who we might be, what we care about, and how we want to belong. That exploration’s messy by design: it’s how identity takes shape. Over half of teens experience recurring feelings of loneliness,1 compared with less than one-fifth of younger children.2 In moments that once invited reflection or connection, many now turn to conversational agents that respond instantly, and with a fluency that feels reassuring.
When a chatbot predicts what a student “should” study or how they “might” respond in a tough conversation, it can turn reflection into replication. The more polished the script, the less room there is for uncertainty—the raw material of growth. Over time, the boundaries of self-authorship could shrink, not because teens don’t want to explore, but because their tools keep deciding for them.
Decision science offers a broader compass: it can inform how digital advisors present options, shape feedback, and design defaults that keep curiosity alive. Systems that don’t claim to know who someone is, but instead help them continue to discover who they could become.
About the Author
Maryam Sorkhou
Maryam holds an Honours BSc in Psychology from the University of Toronto and is currently completing her PhD in Medical Science at the same institution. She studies how sex and gender interact with mental health and substance use, using neurobiological and behavioural approaches. Passionate about blending neuroscience, psychology, and public health, she works toward solutions that center marginalized populations and elevate voices that are often left out of mainstream science.
