The self in the age of social media

Play explores the impact of networking sites on students from a teenage perspective, Cheng Yuezhu reports.

While the debate over use of smartphones by children continues, few adults have paused to truly listen to what the young themselves think, or how they experience the digital world.

"I have a stronger sense of presence online. In real life, because I'm not that outgoing, I don't have enough courage to make friends, even if I would like to," says Yu Minjia, a 12-year-old performer from the DR. Youth Theatre.

"People often feel like they're free when they pick up their phones, when in fact, they have been constrained by them," says Yang Jinsheng, a fellow performer who is 9, expressing his view.

Over the past nine months, these young actors have been exploring their thoughts on technology, expressing themselves through art and writing, and incorporating their experiences into theatrical roles under the guidance of educational theater facilitators.

The final production, Who Am I?, by British playwright Chris Cooper and performed by the DR. Youth Theatre, was held at Beijing's Drum Tower West Theatre on Saturday and Sunday.