Mediated Uncertainties and Sociodigital Risks Perception Among Young People in Mexico City

This paper examines how young people from a public high school in Mexico City perceive and manage socio-digital risks associated with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in a broader context characterized by uncertainty, distrust in their digital literacy, and a bigger need for belonging, amplified during the COVID-19 lockdown. The pandemic triggered a rapid but poorly supported digital transition, deepening pre-existing structural inequalities and increasing students' exposure to various forms of digital violence, particularly among young women. These forms of violence include cyberbullying, sextortion, and efforts to damage reputations through connecting online and offline actions, social media and daily school interactions. The period of confinement not only intensified their sense of insecurity but also increased their awareness and experience of digital violence. Despite frequent exposure to these risks, most students remain ill-equipped to adequately address or mitigate them.

Based on 18 in-depth interviews with students aged 15-18, this paper is part of a larger doctoral research using a biographical approach to trace the technological trajectories of these young people. A bourdieussian framework was employed, particularly related to digital divide and inequalities (Robinson, 2009; Robinson et al, 2021; Ragnedda & Ruiu, 2020; Calderón, 2021). The tension among trust and distrust in digital interactions emerged as a key factor in how young people perceive and manage risks. The findings reveal that their digital interactions are deeply articulated to their motivations for social belonging, visibility, and the construction of socio-digital reputations.