Sam, 13
Favorite Media/Technology: Xbox
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We watched sports together before COVID and now we sometimes watch movies together or play games against one another. My family uses Houseparty to play online games together.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I play Fortnite and talk to my friends on Xbox. On TikTok I send my friends funny videos. I also use Snapchat to for streaks.
What do you use media for?
I use social media for anything sports-related. I also use TikTok and YouTube to search up funny videos or sports highlight reels. I play Fortnite and sports games on Xbox.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
Media is fun, but I don’t like the news.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I used more technology once the pandemic began, because I began doing all my school work online and sports were cancelled. I hung out with his family and played games and kept up with friends through video games. Now that sports are allowed, I don’t use technology as much as I did.
Interviewed by: Sophie Graham, University of Cincinnati student
Charlie, 4
Favorite Media/Technology: Tablet
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
Sometimes I watch Disney+ with my uncles, papa, and mommy; sometimes I don’t. I just watch stuff on my tablet sometimes. I play Sims on my mommy’s computer; I am a mermaid. When my Sim is out of the water, I am a human. When I am in the water, I am a mermaid.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We play outside and sometimes we stay inside; we do both things. I am on my tablet a lot and my phone a lot, I call people, I can call anyone I want. I usually facetime Callie and her mom Analicia, Callie is my friend. She lives in Connecticut.
What do you use media for?
I watch TV. I listen to music - I like country music. I have a pink tablet. I like to read books. I listen to the radio in the car. I have a phone but I can’t play games on it because it doesn’t have any. I just call people on my phone. I go on my white computer at home to play games like Barbie. I play on my Nintendo switch, I watch little kid videos on YouTube, and I watch SHE- RA on Netflix.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My pink tablet is my favorite. I like my games; I have so many games and I downloaded some today. My mommy always types stuff in my tablet, she helps me when stuff costs money. We cannot get ones that cost money, we need to save our money for Hawaii. I want to go to Hawaii.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I wish I could get everything free. I wish everything was free on my princess game.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I have to do my ABC Mouse. There is only one thing I like doing on my ABC mouse - I like changing my avatar.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
From my mommy [she works in a hospital] and from TV.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
The virus gets people very, very sick. I am not scared of the Coronavirus; I am just scared of the dark.
Interviewed by: Brooke Francis, University of Cincinnati student
Noah, 8
Favorite Media/Technology: Nintendo Switch
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family sometimes has a movie night with pizza.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I don’t text people. I play Fortnite with my friends on Xbox. For school we did Zoom and talked about some stuff we needed to do for schoolwork.
What do you use media for?
I like playing my Nintendo Switch a lot. I also like listening to the radio and sometimes I watch videos on YouTube.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I don’t have a least favorite thing. My favorite thing is Lego City: Undercover. I like my Nintendo Switch because it’s interesting, it entertains people, and the challenges are really fun on it.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Lego City: Undercover.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
Playing video games, watching YouTube, and music.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
I learned how to use Zoom.
Interviewed by: Amanda Arlinghaus, University of Cincinnati student
Michael, 20
Media Consumption: 4-5 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Texting
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I interact with media/technology through interacting with my family in a family group chat as well as watching television shows and movies with them.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I interact with my friends through media/technology by texting/calling, social media apps such as Snapchat and Instagram, as well as playing video games almost every day with them. I communicate with my friends through media/technology all day, every day.
What do you use media for?
I use media most to watch shows/movies on Netflix. I also have several social media accounts and I find it cool to stay connected with my friends, family, and my favorite celebrities. I have recently enjoyed spending time watching TikTok.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My least favorite thing about media/technology is that people oftentimes portray themselves to be someone they are not. I don’t like that people feel that they need to pretend to be what others would think would be viewed as “cool.”
Interviewed by: Erin McCaffrey, University of Cincinnati student
Adam, 5
Media Consumption: About 3.5 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: YouTube on his iPad
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I have my own iPad, and Jasmine (his sister) has her own. This is mine. I like YouTube and I watch stories about Red Riding Hood and play games. This is my game on Fortnite.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I like to play Fortnite with my friends and my cousins. Sometimes I play soccer on the Xbox when my friends come to my house.
What do you use media for?
I like watching stories on YouTube and hearing the songs. I also really like to go on the Instagram and look at pictures.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I love YouTube and Fortnite and Instagram because they’re really fun. I don’t like it when I have to share my iPad with Yasmeen because she didn’t charger hers.
Interview By: Rema Khalifah, UCLA 4th Year Student
Aiyana, 3
Media Consumption: 2 hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: YouTube on her iPad
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My grandpa bought me this iPad that I love and Grandma lets me watch it while I eat breakfast. Sometimes Daddy lets me watch YouTube before I sleep, too.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I FaceTime my cousins when I miss them. When I can’t see my cousins, I can call them!
What do you use media for?
I love to watch YouTube and see Wendy and Jannie. They have so many toys. I love them.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I don’t like when I have to wait to press ‘the thing’ [Skip ad button on YouTube].
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I want to tell them thank you for letting me spend time with my friends on YouTube. Oh, tell them too that I love watching girls like me sing!
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID- 19)?
YouTube. And Grandma bought me ABC Mouse, but I only play that with Grandma.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
Grandma is scared of Coronavirus. We can’t touch anything because the germs, remember? And you can’t take your mask off! I have a pink mask with kitties on it. It’s so cute.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
Coronavirus says you have to stay inside. I play outside in the backyard, but we can’t go to the park.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19? I can only play on the iPad when someone lets me, but we play outside more now.
Interviewed by: Danielle Rivas, UCLA 4 th Year Student
Eliza, 14
Average screen time: 8 hours/day on phone; estimated 1 hour of TV
Favorite media/technology: Snapchat
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We use family group chats, which I love. It’s a fun place where we can talk when we’re all doing different things. We send pictures, GIFs, life updates, and news articles. I Snapchat my siblings, but they don’t always respond to me. My parents don’t use social media.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I Facetime my friends a lot and sometimes we Snapchat while we Facetime. Or play iMessage games. We don’t text over iMessage that much anymore; we do it over Snapchat. That’s really the way that we text now.
What do you use media for?
I’m almost always using it to communicate with friends; that’s really the only reason. I text on Snapchat a lot. Sometimes I share posts with my friends on Instagram, but I’m not on Instagram as much. My friends and I also send TikToks to each other -- funny stuff, but also cool places we see online that we want to go to.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I feel very connected to my friends; we don’t even need each other’s phone numbers any more, we can just add each other on different apps and communicate with each other in so many different ways. I like how each platform gives me a different feeling -- Snapchat makes me feel grounded, Instagram gives me inspiration, and TikTok makes me feel creative. My least favorite thing is that you can track people. I might tell someone I’m busy, but if they see my Snapchat score went up, they’ll confront me about being on Snapchat. But I was really busy, it’s just so easy to send Snapchats. I don’t like that people think you’re always available.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I want to see more Asian creators on social media than what I see now. I feel like I see a lot of white, skinny, rich creators. For example, on TikTok I always see the D’Amelio’s, who are typical Connecticut, private school, privileged, preppy girls.
What media are you using more now because of COVID-19?
Snapchat. I get to have one-on-one conversations, and I get so many Snaps, almost constant. It’s a little weird, but I feel like I’m connected to the world and not isolated in my house.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about COVID?
Family. I don’t really get news from social media. Or I try to look at reliable sources like the New York Times or the Washington Post or CNN.
What media has been helping you stay busy/calm during this difficult time?
Snapchat. Being connected to my friends calms me down. It’s just my mom and I in my house, so my screen time has exploded.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID?
I feel like I’ve learned to share and respect other people’s opinions about COVID. I’ve learned how other people are taking it, like when people say it’s a hoax. This is definitely the first time I’ve been part of a political-type conversation on social media.
Interview conducted by: Claudia Morris, UCLA rising 4th Year Student
Daniel, 15
Media Consumption: 6-7 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Xbox
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family uses media to help with their work and hobbies. My dad uses technology for his job, because he’s a programmer, so he’ll use the computer for scripting or coding related websites. My mom uses technology like her phone for family group chats, business related things such as her acupuncture Instagram, and watches Iranian shows that she can’t find on American TV. My sister uses media for art related purposes, social media, and watching shows. I personally use media for YouTube, Instagram, gaming, and discord to talk to my friends. When we’re spending time together, we watch shows on Netflix and the news together.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We use different platforms like Discord, Instagram, and Xbox to hangout and talk to each other.
What do you use media for?
I use media to entertain myself and to find different crafting techniques. I really like YouTube for my hobbies and I’ll upload content related to that so I can promote my hobbies. I also play video games such as Star Wars and different strategy games. In the past, I had a lot of different gaming consoles like the Wii, DS, and PSP, but these days I use Xbox to play with my friends.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I love media because it can help change your mood. It helps me fall asleep and I like to use technology to listen to music too. I also get to chill and communicate with people from communities that share my same hobbies in Lego and art. My least favorite thing about media is how different platforms are always keeping track of what we’re doing, because it violates my privacy.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I wish the video games I play would have some sort of punishment for people who make inappropriate comments. People who make these games should be aware of what is going on in their games and take more serious action by having more monitoring and moderators.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
During COVID-19 we have to stay home and there’s nothing to do. That affects my mental health since I don’t have anyone to talk to and we can’t go outside to interact with people, so I have been using my Xbox more to talk to my friends. I can’t see them or talk to them in person, so I use it to hang out with them.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I hear about the pandemic on the news and YouTube, which I watch on my PC or the TV. I hear about it every day so I’m always up to date on coronavirus.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
I have been using Discord to talk to the Lego community. Discord is a website where people can create servers about different hobbies and those of us who have the same hobbies can get together and talk. I check my messages every day, and speak with other Lego and Star Wars fans.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
I learned that patience is key. Because we have had to stay inside through the whole pandemic, I’ve learned that we have to wait for things in life and there are times when we just can’t have or do what we want, so we have to wait. I have also learned the importance of exercise in maintaining mental health.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19?
I learned how important media is. For example, without platforms like Zoom being used for communication, it would be so hard to get through this pandemic. Media can also be very helpful for different situations, such as teaching for school and having access to educational material.
Interview conducted by: Neeku Salehi, UCLA 4th Year Student
Carlotta, 8
Media Consumption: 2 hours a day during week, 4 hours on weekends. 6 hours per day during holidays
Favorite Media/Technology: iPad
What devices to you use/interact with and what do you use them for?
I have an iPad for games and an iPad for school, so I don’t play games when I have to do homework. I also have a little phone that I can’t use in the week just like my iPad. Only during the holidays, I can use it during the week for 2 hours. On my phone I can play games and I use it to call my mom and dad when I miss them. I watch a lot of TV during the holidays. 4 hours, I think. When I have guests, we decided that I can’t use electronic devices.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I really like that you can play and learn and look up stuff like words. But I don’t like that you have to charge it or the ads because when I play then the ads interrupt. I think it’s really stupid because I have to pay money to make it go away. Does that seriously have to happen? And sometimes these scary ads come with the shooting people and guns for 17 [year-olds] and then I just quickly put the iPad away and x-out of it when I don’t hear the sounds anymore.
What do you use media for?
For playing games and learning. I play a Barbie game but they want me to pay €7 for a membership every month, and I don’t understand why. For learning I use the app Seesaw and my teacher sends me work. Sometimes it teaches me how to draw a dragon and it shows you how to do it step-by-step. But sometimes I want it to be slower. I use kids-YouTube too but I am not allowed to put anything on it.
How do you learn about media?
Well, I learned a lot about internet safety, like if you get an unknown message then you are not supposed to open it because then your computer can get a virus and then it gets worse and worse and infects others. I learned it through my app BrainPOP Jr., and Moby and Anna are so funny and they explain it. I got the app from school.
How are you using media during the COVID-19 pandemic?
On the weekends I can play as much as I want. During the week I can’t and I have to do all my work on Seesaw and oh my God it is so much work. But sometimes my teacher gives me funny tasks to do, but sometimes the instructions don’t make any sense at all and then I don’t know what to do. We have class on Zoom, but sometimes it’s a little annoying because everyone takes over each other because they haven’t seen each other in person. I prefer in person because it’s better and easier to focus, and harder to listen to on Zoom.
Interviewed by: Emma Kollmorgen, Occidental College Rising 2nd Year Student
Hana, 16
Media Consumption: About 15 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My father goes on business trips often so usually we communicate through text messages and FaceTime to check up on each other.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
A lot of my friends are online friends, so we usually use Snapchat or FaceTime to keep up with each other. We also send each other memes on TikTok and Instagram.
What do you use media for?
I use TikTok for entertainment and to create my own content. I also watch anime and shop on clothing websites for art inspiration.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I love media because of how versatile it is. You can find information and guides about everything and anything. I do think it’s incredibly addicting though; I spend hours and hours mindlessly scrolling through.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I think I would want them to create more safe spaces. During the Black Lives Matter protests, Depop, a highly popular thrifting site, created a new tab for black sellers or designs by black creators. I thought that was cool that the company was doing their part to empower those in an unfortunate situation, and I wish other companies would do that too.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I FaceTime my friends almost every day now. I’ll be on my phone on TikTok or Depop and my friend will be on a call with me on my laptop. I’m also starting to use Snapchat a lot more because it’s kind of like texting, but you can see their faces.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
Because I live in LA where rates have been rising at a rapid pace as of late, I’ve been looking at a lot of the news on the internet. I try to stay away from biased sites like CNN and Fox, so I’ve been looking at the CDC website and a lot of BBC news.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
I think TikTok and the people I’ve met on the app are definitely helping me through this. I laugh at memes whenever I’m sad or anything, and it makes me feel less alone seeing thousands of kids feeling the same way I do.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
To not take things for granted. I miss going out with my friends. I’m kind of happy staying inside though; I think it’s forced me to do a lot of self-reflection.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID- 19?
I started using the internet to learn more things. I think I overlooked the educational aspect of the internet before, because I was too focused on entertainment. I’m starting to learn how to sew and embroider off the internet, and I’m really enjoying it.
Interviewed by: Chammy Choi, UCLA Rising 3 rd Year Student
Jake, 8
Media Consumption: 2 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: iPad and TV
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I play video games with my dad. My favorite ones to play with him are Call of Duty and Clash of Clans. I also like to watch movies with my family, unless me and my dad are watching Lego Masters or Star Wars.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I love to play video games with my friends online. Our favorite game is Roblox and we play that one a lot.
What do you use media for?
I use it to play with my friends to play Roblox. I also like to use technology to play games when I’m bored and watch Family Guy.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about technology is being able to play with my friends and I also like using the internet to help solve class problems. I don’t really have anything that I don’t like about technology.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I would like to have more Roblox money so I can have my character wear different and more fun clothes.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I use my computer a lot more because that’s how I go to class now. I also use my iPad more to look up questions for class and play video games.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I hear about most of the information about coronavirus from my parents. I think my teachers will talk about it once we go back to school.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
I have liked using my iPad mostly because I can still play with my friends and play Roblox.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
I’ve learned that staying home is important even though it’s difficult sometimes. I also learned that I really like Family Guy and Roblox.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19?
I like to play video games with my friends more than playing video games by myself. It’s more fun to talk about the game with other people and if I play by myself, then there’s no one to talk to.
Interviewed by Luke Johnstone: UCLA Rising 4th Year
Joshua, 17
Media Consumption: Six hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: Instagram and YouTube
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family and I use an app called Line to text. We text about where we are, where we’re going, what food we want to eat, or what time we will get back home. My mom will usually ask if we are eating dinner at home and that is one way we communicate with my family.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I usually use Instagram to talk in group chats. We discuss when we’re going to ride our bikes together and where and when to meet. We share posts and send memes to each other. We also talk about YouTube videos and send funny videos.
What do you use media for?
I use media to talk to my friends, to discover new biking trails, and to watch vlogs. I like to build my own bikes, so I search up different types of models. I also make plans with my friends to get together. I like to look at cars and different builds of cars and electronic bikes.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I usually stay up really late at night using my laptop or phone. This affects my sleep because I usually wake up late.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I think the content I can find online is great, especially on YouTube. I learn about so many new biking trails and new areas to explore through maps and other people’s videos. I like the media because it is easy to talk to friends and watch videos, such as vloggers like Logan Paul.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I still use the same apps I regularly use, but now I have more time and freedom to explore new things on YouTube. I also use Strava a lot more because I have time to bike and go exercise. Strava tracks the route you take and tells you how many miles you have gone.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I usually see it on Facebook and my parents are both doctors, so I get a lot of information from them. I used to watch it earlier in the year but now it is kind of something I scroll past.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
I don’t really have a specific media that helps me stay more calm. I have used media mostly for entertainment during this time which helps me keep busy and not get bored.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
I learned that there are some people out there who do not believe in masks and think this is a hoax, which I didn’t know of before.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19?
No, I generally have kept the same pattern in terms of my media use before COVID-19. I just have more time now to use the media more and sleep longer.
Interviewed by: Emily Honng, UCLA Rising 4th Year Student
Lily, 16
Media Consumption: About 6-7 hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok/iPhone
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We use it to interact with each other. We use our phones to call and text each other and I use social media to stay in contact with my cousins and other family who I don’t see often.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I are all on social media. I think I’m on Instagram the most. My friends all follow me on there, and we watch each other’s stories and interact with each other’s posts. We also text each other a lot and like to send each other memes.
What do you use media for?
I use it to interact with my friends and also keep up with my favorite celebrities. I like fashion too, so I follow a lot of fashion pages on Instagram and Pinterest. I also really like watching Netflix on my phone.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about social media is that I get to keep up with what’s going on in the world. My least favorite thing about social media is the hate. People are really mean online and super judgmental. I always think twice before I post something.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I would say thank you. Especially Netflix; I get really into shows on there and I feel like I get close to the characters, so I would say thank you to the creators and directors for making the show.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I’m using TikTok more. Ever since we started quarantine, everyone started talking about TikTok, so I checked it out and now it’s the app I spend the most time on. My friends and I make videos on there and I also love to watch other people’s TikToks.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus?
I get the most information from Twitter. They do daily updates on there so I mostly get my news from there. I also get it from my sister because she tells me and my mom if there’s anything new with COVID.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
I would say Netflix. Because of school, I didn’t have a lot of time to watch all of these shows because I was in sports and clubs, but now I have a lot of time, so I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix and also YouTube videos as well.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
I have learned not to take things for granted. I didn’t go out a lot with my friends before because I would be tired from practice or being busy, and now I’m a little sad that I can’t hang out with them anymore and I really wish I could.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19?
Because of COVID-19 I think I learned that I use media and technology a lot. I’ve noticed my family as well have started using technology a lot more than usual. I think that it’s our main source of entertainment.
Interviewed By: Chelsea Mejia, UCLA 4th year student
Madisyn, 16
Media Consumption: About 3 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family and I interact with technology by contacting each other when needed. We use our phones to let our parents know when we get to places. None of us really like using technology, because we like to spend most of our time together outside. None of us are allowed to have our phones at the dinner table or during any type of family time.
How do you and your friends interact with media/technology?
My friends and I use social media to keep in contact and for school. Other than contact and school, I don’t use it much. For example, I only have one post on Instagram, but due to COVID- 19, I had online class for the rest of the year. I prefer hanging out with people in person rather than spending all my time on any type of device.
What do you use media for?
I use my phone every day, because I like to keep in touch with my friends that I left behind since I have moved around a lot. My family is used to changing bases all across the world every couple of years, because my dad is in the military. Social media helps me to keep up with everybody that I know without the trouble of figuring out schedules to make a time to FaceTime. Social media gives me big current events on my friends so I don’t feel so out of the loop all the time.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My least favorite things about technology are that you can get addicted to them and that they are pretty negative. My friends are quite addicted to their phones and have a hard time putting them down. I also don’t like how negative digital media can be. It should be less about the likes and comparison and more about loving others the way Jesus does. I would be so happy if spreading uplifting quotes, bible verses, and positive stories that inspire people to help others became a viral constant.
Interviewed: Cali Thompson, UCLA 4th year student
Presley, 12
Media Consumption: 7 hours/day (an increase due to pandemic)
Favorite Media/Technology: Roblox
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We all use it every day. My parents use it to work and it keeps my little sister busy during the day. My family has movie nights almost every weekend. We even have an Alexa Echo Dot! I seriously don’t know what we would do without it. I don’t believe it listens to our conversations. I usually just use it to set timers when we cook or ask what the date is. I get frustrated when it does not respond to me with an answer.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I make videos together for fun and post them on TikTok. I also like playing Roblox on my iPad with my friends. It is a game where you can play with people all over the world, but I don’t share personal information unless I want to. I will play for about 1.5 hours or until one of us has to go. I like to play dress up in the runway game and collect treasure items. I text, call, and FaceTime friends all the time. That is the easiest way to contact and talk to my friends.
What do you use media for?
I use it mainly for social media. All of my accounts on social media are private, only my friends follow me. I usually post things I do or places I’ve gone to.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about the media is that I can pretty much do anything. I can play games, call people, text people, and draw. My least favorite thing is that I know people can post bad things like false information or spread rumors. I’ve never been cyberbullied but I am scared of it.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I am very happy that I have media because I don’t know what people did 100, 200, 300 years ago. I am using the same social media as before, like Roblox, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, but I am on it way more because I am stuck at home all day. I do not think it’s bad that I am on it all the time because it keeps me entertained.
Interviewed by: Morgan Love, UCLA 2nd Year Student
Sarah & Serena (Fraternal Twins), 11
Media Consumption: About 3-5 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Roblox, YouTube, Gacha Life
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
Sarah: One time, our mom was trying to go to a Zoom meeting, so we had to help her because she didn’t know how to join the meeting and we had technology experience from school. When our parents are at work, we sometimes text them through Google Hangouts, and they sometimes check in on us and tell us when they are coming home or when they want us to prepare things for lunch. We’ve also been watching a lot of movies recently together as a family.
Serena: We mainly tell our parents the shortcuts, like how to fast forward without using the mouse or how to spell words. Sometimes, I forget how to print the paper, so Dad will come and help me print it out. We talk to our parents using Google Hangouts and watch movies and trailers together a lot. I use Google Translate with my Mom to help me figure out Chinese words.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Sarah: So, in Roblox you can friend each other, text each other, and join their games. I can also talk to my friends through Google Hangouts.
Serena: Before we used Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Slides and shared it with our friends to chat. But now because of COVID, we use Roblox and Google Hangouts.
What do you use media for?
Sarah: For the laptop, I use it for Google Meets and Google Hangouts. For Mom and Dad’s phone, sometimes we play games and sometimes I help them send messages. For the iPad, I play Roblox, an app where you can invite your friends and play a variety of games. I also watch YouTube and play Gacha Life, a game where you can create your own characters.
Serena: I mainly use media to play Roblox or create Gacha Life characters. Roblox has a lot of games that you can play and talk to your friends. I also use Google Translate, watch YouTube, make presentations about my favorite animal, and use Canva to design my own projects.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
Sarah: My favorite thing about technology is that you get to play with your friends and you also get to play games and text your friends. My least favorite thing is that it can sometimes get addicting, because sometimes if you are really texting your friends, you might lose track of time. And also, when you’re playing games, it can be really fun and you don’t want to stop playing.
Serena: My favorite thing is probably that you can almost do anything for technology, because you can search up projects or you can play games. My least favorite thing is the blue light that harms your eyes. Sometimes when I play too long, I can feel it. Also, technology can be addicting sometimes because some people get too into it. Like, they are talking to their friends all the time, or doing vlogs and making new stuff and experiments each day, so they could start thinking that it is their life now.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
Sarah: For Roblox, sometimes the games are really glitchy, maybe because too many people are playing it, so maybe they should limit the number of people who can play it at the same time. For Gacha Life, maybe they can add more outfits because they are getting kind of boring.
Serena: In Roblox, some of the games that people make have these bugs, so it glitches and has some problems. Maybe try to fix that if it is an app problem.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Sarah: I use Google Meets and Zoom to attend class, Varsity Tutors for summer camp courses, and Google Hangouts to get in touch with our friends.
Serena: Roblox and Google Hangouts. We even downloaded Google Hangouts onto the iPad.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
Sarah: I mostly hear about the coronavirus from my parents who read it from Yahoo news, mainly through their phone and computer.
Serena: Dad always looks at the news from Yahoo and talks about it.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
Sarah: I use Google Hangouts because I can text my friends whenever I’m bored.
Serena: Well, we have summer camps online, so that keeps me busy. I also talk to my friends and parents on Google Hangouts and play with my friends on Roblox.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
Sarah: Viruses spread more quickly than you think. Trump didn’t really care about the virus until it actually happened. It took him a long time before he finally took action, while Taiwan told everyone to wear masks pretty fast, and this helped a lot.
Serena: Stay safe. It is always better to be over prepared than under-prepared. Taiwan handles the virus really well. If coronavirus cases are going down, they shouldn’t open stores right away, but instead wait a while to be safe.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID- 19?
Sarah: I think I play Roblox a bit more, maybe because it is also summer. Ever since online school started, I think they gave us less homework. I also think my eyesight got worse because I used more technology since I was bored and didn’t know what to do. Sometimes I forget to wear my blue light glasses, so I should probably wear them more.
Serena: I am using technology a lot and not really spending time outside of technology. I use it in my everyday life a lot, like using tuner apps to tune my instruments. It’s always there, and when I’m playing games – which I do a lot now – I lose track of time.
Interviewed by: Lauren Huang, UCLA 3rd Year Student
Shane, 4
Media Consumption: Daily
Favorite Media/Tech: Tablet
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I play and watch on my tablet. Adri [his younger cousin] watches on her tablet. My grandparents watch TV shows and Netflix.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
[Due to Shane’s limited contact with others outside of his household at this time, he isn’t currently around any peers.]
What do you use media for?
YouTube, Tobots, PJ Masks and FaceTime.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I get to watch a lot! I don’t like commercials and having to stop for bed time.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I want it to be more long.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
[Shane seems to be using the same amount of media during the pandemic due to the fact that he hasn’t started school yet.]
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I learn about Coronavirus from my aunt.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
YouTube and tablet games.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
We have to wear masks when we go out, and always wash our hands. 10. Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19? [Because Shane is fairly young, it seems that he is not yet able to realize the impact that COVID- 19 has on his current media use.]
Interviewed by: Fabian Chavez, UCLA Rising 4th Year Student
Tanmay, 18
Media Consumption: 5-6 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Netflix
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We use it a lot for news and watching streaming services to pass the time.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I call my friends every night, sometimes to play games, other times just to hang around and talk. Me and my friends use it for social media and things such as Netflix party.
What do you use media for?
Along with talking to my friends, I also use technology to make music, call family back in India and build my career. I honestly use it for either self-advertisement [as a music artist] or advertising for causes I care about.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing is how easy it is for everyone to have a voice, but that’s also my least favorite thing because there is so many differing opinions that clash and make it hard to form my own views.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I think I want the people who run social media to know that there is an insane amount of information being put out about the world today and we should be able to control it so that it’s all accurate only.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Definitely FaceTime and Zoom, since not only do all my classes happen on them, but I also call friends and play games with them through them.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus?
Though I do watch the news and get quite a bit of information about COVID-19 through that, I try to do my own research on the matter to make sure that I am well informed.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
When I am stressed, I make music. I wasn’t always good with instruments, but I really have been improving at mixing and making songs. Especially since I’ve had lots of help.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
2 Family is really valuable. I have a younger brother and my two parents, and more than before, I realize how much I love them and want to do everything I can to make sure that they are safe. Even if that means going to get groceries and doing chores once in a while.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19?
I have realized how dependent I am on technology. Whether it be talking to my friends, taking classes, or even cooking. Staying at home and seeing it all in use has really made me see it more clearly.
Interviewed by: Himanshu Chaudhary, UCLA 4th Year Student
William, 17
Media Consumption: About 8 hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: WeChat, Instagram, Snapchat
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
Since I live separately from my parents, we mainly video chat each other via WeChat. There’s nothing much to talk about, so we only call each other when I have difficulties in life. The frequency depends on my situation, sometimes once a week, sometimes every day.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We don’t use media when we are in person, but we do talk about things that we discovered on media. However, when we are not together, we talk to each other frequently and share interesting findings through social media.
What do you use media for?
I mainly use media for entertainment, sometimes I play video games to relax. I also use media to find a sense of belonging. I talk to my friends and post photos about my life. There are also chat groups that I join such as game groups, where we talk about our common interests.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
The thing I like about media and technology is that I can learn things from it. It is a source of diverse information, which allows me to see things other than what I see physically. What I don’t like about media and technology is that sometimes the information is incomplete and the source is unreliable, which may cause confusion and be misleading.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
Actually, I think it is fine now. The thing I would want social media to improve is to establish more rules on these platforms, like laws in the real world, so people have a guideline to follow and can be protected.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I have been using more WeChat, Instagram, and Snapchat more. It is basically what I normally would use. However, since I am mostly staying at home now, I spend more time on these social medias. It is also harder to not use them now, because there are no other social activities that I can do.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get information about the coronavirus from public accounts on WeChat and from my friends. I don’t read the news, but I think the information provided by the public accounts on WeChat are based on the news. I am not interested in knowing everything about the coronavirus, so I only read articles I find interesting or relevant on public accounts.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
YouTube. I have been watching a lot of YouTube. There are some interesting videos that are keeping me busy and calm.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
I learned that rumors are terrible. Don’t fully believe what you see on the internet, there is no benefit in that.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19?
I learned that people are dependent on the internet and the internet has infiltrated into our lives. Now that everyone is staying at home, all of the social needs are being satisfied online. We can actually live in our homes separately for a long time and still feel connected. That is the power of media and technology.
Interviewed by: Christy Wang, UCLA Rising 3rd Year Student
Yuling, 18
Media Consumption (i.e., how often): 6 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Overwatch
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I interact with my parents on WeChat. We send messages and pictures with each other. My parents often leave notifications for me on WeChat when they want to remind me of something.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I interact with my peers on Facebook and WeChat. I also like to make friends and have conversations with my peers while playing video games such as Overwatch and PUBG.
What do you use media for?
I use media to connect with my friends and parents when I need emotional and social support. For example, it is the most convenient way to receive help when I have a bad mood and need someone to talk to. In addition, it is very fun for me to play video games online. It helps me relax and escape.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about technology is that it gives me access to all potential information and all potential friends who I cannot meet in real life. My least favorite thing about technology is that I spend so much time on it. I can’t control the time I spent on social media, and it draws so much attention from me.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
The price for purchasing some video games is not affordable, lol.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I am using WeChat more by sending messages with my friends. We share some interesting memes and news with each other in order to release anxiety and stress due to social isolation.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get the majority of information about the coronavirus from my mother. She is worried about my physical health so that she keeps reminding me of the news about COVID-19.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
I don’t think media makes me stay busy and calm at all. I feel more isolated and stressed when spending so much time on it.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
Social connection and interactions with others are super important for me. It is necessary for me to build social relationships and to increase social activities after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID- 19?
Now, my phone has become a more important tool than ever before to connect with people I cannot meet because of COVID-19. I wake up accompanying my phone, and I fall asleep accompanying my phone.
Interviewed by: Tingting Jin, UCLA 4 th Year Student