Lively data and adolescent life; tracing the Re-assemblage of Iranian adolescents and digital data (video games)

Abstract

This paper examines the entanglement of Iranian adolescents with digital data, specifically focusing on video games as significant sources of socialization and emotional development for this particular group. Using a new materialist framework and actor-network theory, we analyse their active participation in digital environments. Through ethnographic methods, including interviews and observations, we reveal how video games facilitate emotional and social growth, fostering peer connections and community among participants. Our findings indicate that these specific digital interactions have a significant impact on the self-perception and personal growth of the adolescents involved in this research, highlighting the active role of digital data in their lives. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of adolescent development in a digital age, illustrating the interplay between technology, identity, and emotional regulation within the context of contemporary socialization for Iranian youth. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.