People and Algorithms – Who Are We Online and How Does It Affect Mental Health?

The panel discussion “People and Algorithms – Who Are We Online and How Does It Affect Mental Health?”, dedicated to identity in the digital age and the impact of algorithms on mental health, was held as part of the “AI and Me” series, organized by the European House Niš in cooperation with the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia and the Youth Mental Health Club Niš.

The discussion opened up a number of important questions about how our online identities are shaped in a world of filters, avatars, and AI-generated content, how much they differ from our authentic sense of self, and what consequences this gap may have for self-confidence, self-worth, and overall mental well-being.

Participants reflected on the fact that social media and digital platforms are not neutral spaces, but environments in which algorithms actively influence visibility, modes of expression, and patterns of behavior. Particular attention was paid to the pressure of constant comparison and the “optimization” of one’s identity for algorithms, as well as the effects such processes can have on anxiety, insecurity, and the sense of a stable identity.

During the discussion, Dr. Ljubiša Bojić, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia, spoke about the social aspects of artificial intelligence and the role of algorithms in shaping the digital “self.” The psychological perspective and the issue of mental health were further addressed by Dr. Milica Mitrović, Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš, whose work focuses on identity and psychological well-being in contemporary society.

The panel concluded with the message that, alongside technological development, it is essential to foster a more conscious and responsible approach to digital identities, as well as to strengthen understanding of the impact of artificial intelligence on everyday life and mental health.