Persona facts for kids

A persona is like a special role or character you play. It's the way you present yourself to others. Think of it as the public image of your personality. You might show different sides of yourself depending on where you are or who you are with.

The word "persona" originally came from a Latin word meaning "theatrical mask." In ancient times, actors wore masks to show what kind of character they were playing. So, the first idea of a persona was about acting a role. But today, the idea is much wider. People often adopt one persona when they are at work or school, and a different one when they are at home with family.

On the web, people often create virtual personas. These are like online identities they use when they are on social media, in games, or on websites.

What is a Persona?

A persona is the way you show yourself to the world. It's not necessarily who you truly are deep down, but rather the "face" you put on for different situations. Everyone has different personas they use without even thinking about it.

The Original Meaning: Masks and Acting

The word "persona" comes from ancient Rome. Actors in plays wore special masks called "personae." These masks helped the audience know what kind of character the actor was playing. For example, a mask might show if a character was happy, sad, or angry. This is why the idea of a persona is linked to playing a role or acting.

Personas in Everyday Life

You probably use different personas every day! Think about how you act:

• When you are with your best friends, you might be very relaxed and silly.
• When you are talking to a teacher, you might be more serious and polite.
• When you are with your family, you might act differently than when you are with strangers.

These are all different personas. We use them to fit into different situations or to show a certain side of ourselves. For example, a student might have a "studious" persona in class and a "fun-loving" persona with friends.

Personas in the Digital World

The internet has given us even more ways to create personas. When you are online, you might have:

• A profile on a social media site.
• An avatar in a video game.
• A username and picture you use for online forums.

These are all parts of your digital persona. You can choose what information you share and how you present yourself online. Sometimes, people create online personas that are very different from their real-life selves.

Famous Personas

Many famous people, especially artists and performers, create special personas. This helps them tell stories or connect with their audience.

• For example, the musician David Bowie was famous for creating many different personas throughout his career. One of his well-known personas was "The Thin White Duke." He would dress and act in a specific way for each persona, making his music and performances unique.
• Actors also create personas for the characters they play in movies or TV shows.

These personas help them explore different ideas and entertain people.

Images for kids

• 

  David Bowie as The Thin White Duke at Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto 1976