Ani, 17
Media Consumption: Daily, about 5 hours
Favorite Media/Technology: Goodreads
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We usually watch TV together, like our favorite shows or movies, when my parents and sister are all home. We also have a family group chat where we text about stuff that happens during the day.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Well, I use Zoom every day for school, so we talk to each other that way a lot during class. We also use Discord to talk about our Youth & Government club and plan events.
What do you use media for?
I use it for entertainment and to find new books on Goodreads. I’ll use TikTok a lot to watch funny videos, and I’ll use Instagram and Discord to chat with my friends.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media and technology?
My favorite thing is that I can connect with my friends really often. I like how easy it is to talk to people. My least favorite thing is how I lose track of time, especially on TikTok. When I’m on TikTok, the time on my phone disappears, and it gets really easy to forget how long I’ve been on the app.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
This one is really hard. Maybe I would tell them to stop making everything so addicting. All of these social media apps can be really addicting and take up most of my time in my day.
What media are you using more now because of the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Definitely Zoom, because all of my classes have been on Zoom for a long time now. I’ve been using Discord a lot too for my clubs, because that’s where we plan stuff.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
I get my news through infographics on Instagram and short videos on TikTok. People post a lot of those things and talk about current events, so it’s easy to keep up with everything that way.
What media has been helping you stay busy/calm during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Goodreads has really helped me stay busy and calm. I love to read, and it’s really fun to go on Goodreads and check off books from my list and rate them, and also find new books to read that other people recommend.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic?
I guess I’ve learned to be patient. I can’t control everything, so I’ve learned to just do my best and see what happens.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 Pandemic?
I’ve learned that I use technology way more than I used to. Almost everything is online now, so I’m constantly on my laptop or my phone joining a Zoom call or texting my friends. That’s how I connect with people now.
Interviewed by: Natalie Zadikian, UCLA Student