Identity is who you are, the collection of qualities, beliefs, experiences, and characteristics that make you uniquely you. Your identity includes obvious things like your name, age, and where you're from, but also deeper aspects like your interests, values, talents, and the groups you belong to.

Think of identity as your answer to the question “Who am I?” A fourth-grader might say: “I'm someone who loves soccer, reads fantasy novels, speaks Spanish at home, and always tries to make my friends laugh.” That's part of her identity. As you grow up, your identity keeps developing. You discover new interests, form opinions, and figure out what matters to you.

Identity can mean your personal sense of self, but it also refers to how others recognize you. You might have a student identity card with your photo and name that identifies you at school. Police officers carry badges that show their identity as officers. In this sense, identity is proof of who you are.