Lauren, 17
Media Consumption: Don’t know how often
Favorite Media/Technology: Instagram or TikTok
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
Most of my family has phones so we use social media apps a lot to entertain ourselves.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Similar to my family, we all have a cell phone so we watch videos on our phone and entertain ourselves. We also do most if not all of our school work on a computer.
What do you use media for?
I use media for entertainment and for communication purposes.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about technology/media?
I think my least favorite thing about it is how superficial it has become. A lot of people stress themselves out over how many people like their photo or how many followers they have. I also don’t really like how it’s so open because certain people can message me inappropriate things. The only thing I can do when I receive those messages is to block and report them. Even then, the most that can be done is the banning of that account. People can create multiple accounts and keep sending inappropriate messages.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I’d like them to know that it's very uncomfortable for people to receive inappropriate messages. I wish that they would take more preventative measures so that it doesn’t happen.
What media are you using more now because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I use TikTok a lot more since COVID.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about changes during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get my information from a mix of TikTok, Instagram, the news channel, and my parents. Some of my friends are very into social politics and such and will post about them on their social media so I can see when something happens. I also watch the news channel sometimes with my parents and we sometimes talk about the news we see.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during the COVID-19 pandemic?
TikTok and Instagram have definitely helped me stay busy during the pandemic. I feel like they were really good at being my distraction and entertainment since there wasn’t really anything to do. I don’t think any media has helped me stay calm because I don’t really use it for that purpose.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I’ve learned that it’s become a habit for me to like posts or save them automatically just in case I lose them or if I’m busy. I’ve learned that I use technology more when I’m bored rather than do something else that doesn’t involve technology.
Interviewed by: Margaret Wang, UCLA Student