Special Edition: Mirror XR at Sydney SXSW 2025

In today’s hybrid world, young people seamlessly transcend their states of mind between the real world and the digital space as they escape real life stressors into the gaming world in search of their identity, belonging in a whole new world without a map. Recent statistics have shown that their unregulated encounters with AI-companions, strangers in games and immersive realities have quickly turned problematic.

In this episode, Prof Carolyn Semmler, lead of the Applied Cognition and Experimental Psychology (ACEP) research group at Adelaide University and Institute of Machine Learning (AIML) Australia, will unpack how we can help by observing Gen Z's interactions with AI and digital spaces as they hold the potential to be the first generation to cultivate resilience and pave the way for the future generations with the right support. Over 67% of Gen Z are now sceptical of social media, craving authentic connection (McCrindle, 2025).

This is a must-listen for anyone wondering why children are lost in digital spaces. Uncover why human-computer interactions can turn into one-sided relationships and how to navigate the advancement of technology with psychological safety.

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DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all BridgeIT podcast episodes, short clips, social media content, and its associated entities. While expert-led, content in these podcast does not constitute professional advice, is not intended as a substitute mental health professionals, education consultant, technology consultants, and must not be relied upon as such. The material is designed to provide an informative guideline (current at the time of publication and subject to the rapid changes of technological advancements).