Girls That Create was born out of my desire to create a free online resource for parents and caregivers seeking to nurture their girls’ creative potential. At its heart was written content, which is how I most love to share information.
But with AI going mainstream and changing how people discover content, I’ve had to reconsider how I show up in this moment.
So what does that mean? I will archive past Girls That Create content. Stories will still be available, but I won’t add new content in this specific space for the foreseeable future.
My path shifted when I accepted a full-time job at Southern Methodist University, where I’m also pursuing a Doctor of Liberal Studies degree. Unlike traditional doctoral programs that focus on narrow specialization, DLS students explore different fields and learn how they connect.
Rather than staying in one lane, I’m studying how stories, content and communication patterns emerge and change in digital spaces and how they’re shaping the way people experience and understand their daily lives.
Digital narratives are not confined to screens. They’re affecting how we see ourselves, make decisions, form relationships and navigate the physical world. And now, AI systems are increasingly determining which content gains traction.
When social media emerged over 20 years ago, many of us were excited about what it could mean for connection and community. We didn’t foresee how algorithms would shape conversations or how our digital and physical lives would merge.
As AI reshapes how we create and discover content, I find myself asking similar questions, but with hindsight. What stories will surface? Whose voices will be heard? How will this change the way girls and women see themselves and their potential?
The Girls That Create mission continues, but in a different form. I’m still exploring how to nurture creativity and authentic expression in a world where the rules keep changing. The questions simply grew larger.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I’ll continue sharing what I learn through my newsletter and research updates at erinpratherstafford.com.
Stories transform us. The medium changes, but their power to shape identity, relationships, and understanding remains constant.