Navigating Racism, Parenting, and Digital Spaces

Racism doesn’t just shape society—it impacts families, parenting, and the mental well-being of youth in powerful ways.

Stephen Gibson, a fifth-year doctoral student in developmental psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, is dedicating his research to exploring how racism—especially online—affects Black adolescents. Supported by major federal grants, Gibson’s work examines how parents communicate about race and how these messages influence children’s resilience and identity.

🧩 The Research Focus

• Mental health impact of online racism: Gibson studies depression, PTSD, and coping among Black teens.
• Parental communication: He analyzes how parents prepare their children to navigate racism, both emotionally and socially.
• Digital identity: His dissertation zeroes in on how Black adolescents interpret online racism and how cultural identity shapes their experiences.

👨‍👩‍👧 Personal Motivation

Gibson draws on his own upbringing as a Black male, reflecting on how his parents guided him through racialized environments. This personal history fuels his dedication to understanding the crucial role of parental messages in helping teens cope with racial challenges.

📊 The Study in Action

• Involves 550 Black adolescents, tracked over two years.
• Groups teens by their experiences with direct and vicarious online racism.
• Investigates how cultural identity and awareness influence resilience against racism’s harmful effects.

🏆 Academic Impact

• Awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Fellowship.
• Published over a dozen peer-reviewed articles and chapters.
• Preparing for a tenure-track role at the University of Maryland, College Park.

🌍 Why It Matters

Gibson’s research highlights:

• The mental health risks of online racism.
• The importance of cultural identity in protecting adolescents.
• How parental guidance can strengthen resilience.

His work underscores the urgent need to address racism in digital spaces while amplifying the voices and experiences of marginalized youth.