CAREER: Resilience in the Age of AI: Helping Adolescents Manage Generative AI and Personalization

NSF Award Search · 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $748,258 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Personalized social media feeds and emerging AI chatbot technologies influence what adolescents see, how they receive social feedback, and how they interpret themselves and others. While these systems can provide information, entertainment, and connection, they also shape attention and can gradually steer interests, preferences, and how adolescents see themselves. This project examines how adolescents experience algorithmic influence and explores how attention can be reclaimed as a resource for agency and self-understanding in highly personalized digital environments. By helping adolescents recognize and reflect on algorithmic influence and strengthen attentional autonomy, the project develops new ways to support healthy development and emotional well-being in increasingly automated media environments. Tools developed in this project can be used independently by adolescents and implemented in schools, libraries, and youth organizations to help mitigate the negative impacts of AI personalization. This project advances the "Resilience Framework," a sociotechnical model that explains how adolescents maintain a sense of self that is coherent and self-directed in environments that utilize algorithmic personalization. The research integrates qualitative, quantitative, and participatory design methods. In the foundational phase, interviews, diary studies, and other situated qualitative activities will examine how adolescents interpret and respond to recommender systems and gener

Key facts

NSF award ID
2537125
Awardee
George Mason University (VA)
SAM.gov UEI
EADLFP7Z72E5
PI
Nora McDonald
Primary program
01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI), CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, Cyber-Human Systems
Estimated total
$748,258
Funds obligated
$495,396
Transaction type
Continuing Grant
Period
06/15/2026 → 05/31/2031