The aim of this paper is to outline an emerging research area around young people and contemporary digital arenas.The field is growing in size, shape and complexity. The need for investigations is demanding. The research area is also elusive and its outline is changing very quickly. In previous works the authors have focused on different parts of this area, and in this paper we bring our ideas together to form a joint research base. 1st theme is identity; what factors influence young people's identity development and how do we interpret identity in a changing media landscape as well as in a changing society? 2nd theme is learning; have contemporary media influenced the processes of learning and if so, how can the educational system benefit from this? The 3rd theme is what we in this context call abusive practices; how can we understand abusive behavior on the internet,among and towards young people? The issues problematized are to be seen as a probing for and a framing of a research base for further development.