Teens Speak Out Research Snapshot: Social Media Regulation
New survey from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA finds most teens agree with the Surgeon General’s recent social media advisory, but disagree with new laws
In an effort to bridge the divide between adults and younger generations on the issue of social media and adolescent mental health, we conducted our first Teens Speak Out Research Snapshot to capture the valuable insights of young people on three major policy developments: Utah's parental consent regulations for social media usage, Montana’s TikTok ban, and the Surgeon General's advisory on social media. When teens have the opportunity to share their perspectives they usually have important things to contribute. So we went directly to 284 teens, ages 13-18, from across the United States to ask them what they think about the laws that are being passed around the country.
“... I don’t think that it should be banned for everybody. I think that our parents should take the time to teach us things that get harmless and things not to do but I don’t think social media should be banned as a whole because it has a lot of positive things although it has negatives too but if we are taught at a young age the difference between good and bad and what not to do and what to do I think it would be OK.”
Below we break down the findings.
Montana Bill: TikTok Banned
64% difference between male and female teens about ban
Only 27.5% of all teens said that the ban is a good idea. We wondered who are these teens that agree with banning something they use so much? Turns out when broken down by gender identity, the majority of the teens agreeing with the ban were male. 38.9% male teens agreed with the ban while only 19.7% female teens agreed - a whopping 64% difference. Moreover, teens who identify as non-binary disagreed the most that the ban was a good idea.
“I believe social media has taught me and many other kids important things about life and has kept us entertained during parts of our life like the pandemic. I feel it is important to let kids express themselves on social media because you are able to meet friends and communicate.”
“I think that the internet can indeed be dangerous, but that the restrictions that are being put on young people will overall make their quality of life and mental health worse rather than better.”
With teen girls using TikTok more than teen boys, this difference becomes even more significant.
Utah: Parental Consent for Under 18-year-olds
37% of all teens agreed with this legislation. In this instance, we again saw significant gender differences. Once more, male teens agreed most with the law, followed by females and non-binary teens. With females reporting that they use social media more than males, the fact that males agree more with restrictions about a medium they use least is interesting. While age differences were not significant, not surprisingly, older teens tended to agree more with parental consent than younger teens.
“I feel like the problem is that social media companies do not take any effort to censor harmful content to minors. When done correctly social media does help many kids socialize and improves their mental health.”
Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media
More than double the number of teens agree than disagree that social media use is harming young people’s mental health.
Finally we asked adolescents for their reactions to the following statement from the Surgeon General’s advisory:
“The most common question parents ask me is, ‘is social media safe for my kids’. The answer is that we don’t have enough evidence to say it’s safe, and in fact, there is growing evidence that social media use is associated with harm to young people’s mental health. Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment. And for too many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends. We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis – one that we must urgently address.”
A passionate polarity amongst adolescents emerged with 52.4% of teens strongly or somewhat agreeing with the statement and 22.2% of teens strongly or somewhat disagreeing with the statement (the rest were neutral). Gender was not significantly different so we do not report on those differences.
“I think it is definitely true that negative things on social media are harmful to teens. I believe that the positive things outweigh this though and that restrictions or rules can be added to get rid of negative things but positive things can be there still.”
Despite adolescents’ persistent desire for digital connectivity, adults remain doubtful of their ability to navigate the online landscape responsibly. The fear and distrust shared by older generations has manifested in policymakers’ attempts to impose limitations and even outright bans on the very platforms that have become an integral part and for some a vital mental health tool in young people’s lives.
Contributions: Jamie Azar, Dr. Alisha Hines, Emma Terrell, and Dr. Yalda T. Uhls
To see the methodology for this report, click here.
To learn more about the Teens Speak Out Research Snapshot series, click here.
Brian, 12
Media Consumption: Mainly consumes media through computer, smartphone, and tablet mostly every day, at least 6 hours a day.
Favorite Media/Technology: His favorite type of media is video games, but also Instagram and TikTok.
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We have a family group chat called, Kakaotalk (Korean texting app), where we text, call and send pictures or videos to each other. This is our family’s daily messaging app.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I use my laptop or phone to stay connected with my friends. I use social media (Instagram, TikTok) to share short videos like “reels” with others and keep each other updated. Also, I use FaceTime to call and talk with my friends.
What do you use media for?
I use media to socialize and see what is trending throughout the time. For example, I watch TikTok to see what new events or incidents are happening around me. Also, I watch funny memes, sports, and play video games. When I play video games, I use FaceTime to talk with my friends live while playing.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about the media is I feel connected with my family and friends whenever. Also, I can search for everything on the internet which is convenient. My least favorite thing or negative effect would be I use too much phone during the day. I can’t live without my phone even a day which is kind of sad to think about.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I hope the computer does not freeze whenever I play video games especially when I play with my Korean friends who live in Korea. I know it is obvious that the game could be lag but I don’t want my computer to be crashed. Also, I don’t want to spend my real money to buy items in the game. I think it’s unnecessary to spend “real” money in the “fake” game world.
What media do you interact with the most?
I interact with my phone the most. I watch YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram all through my smartphone.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I watch TikTok or Instagram to see incidents or news that is happening recently. I think those two are the fastest social media to receive news today.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
YouTube has been helping me to stay calm during challenging times. I love watching YouTube because it makes me laugh and forget about challenging things going on around me.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I learned that going to school was thankful because I get to see my friend and hear my teachers’ lectures in person. I don’t like using Zoom because sometimes it’s hard to hear the teacher and I can’t learn properly. Also, I learned that my phone is important to stay in touch with my friends.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I didn’t know I spend this much time on my phone but I realized that I spend even more time during the pandemic because there was nothing to do other than watch my phone. So, I started to use my phone less than before.
Interviewed by: Dana Lim, UCLA student
Jennifer, 20
Media Consumption: 3 hours per day, 2 and ½ on weekends
Favorite Media/ Technology: TikTok, medium, and Reddit
How do you and your family interact with media and technology?
We occasionally show each other more entertainment-based media by sharing it in the family group chat, or through social media apps. When we are far from one another we text each other with minor updates about our day.
How do you and your friends interact with media and technology?
I mostly text message friends though it's hard for me to keep up with people, I prefer to send funny videos through apps such as TikTok.
What is your favorite and least favorite thing about media and technology?
Favorite: How much it amplifies communication with others, we can easily send them a text or funny video to have something to laugh about and share while strengthening our communication.
Least Favorite: The chokehold that media has on users making their life significantly only about someone online (chronically online users) not directly about media, but occurs due to media.
What do you use media for?
For a variety of reasons, some of these include laughing, gaining more knowledge, and communicating with friends and family.
How did you use media during the COVID-19 pandemic?
During the pandemic, I was online learning so I would watch class recordings live via Zoom, and read articles and YouTube.
What is one thing you want the people that create the media you like to watch, play and interact with to know?
This is something that is already happening, but I would like for media to become more personalized to each individual person. Thanks to stored data a lot of videos we see and articles that we read they are becoming more personalized. I think that is a good thing, I believe that influencers and other professionals should make media more human, individuals should not be afraid to say what they think but rather say the truth instead of trying to appease everyone. The more human type of media. Influencers try to portray a life that “everyone” wants, showing that it's not just a straight path forward.
Would you want to live in a world with or without media?
With media, although the overconsumption of media can lead to several harmful mental and health factors, the only one who can control how much media you consume is yourself. If you are disciplined enough to moderate how much media you consume and that it's valuable to you, it should not affect you as much. I was able to gain so much knowledge based on the internet as a limited and extracted valuable information that would help me in the long run.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I usually get my information from the Internet and my parents.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
During challenging times I enjoy taking a day for myself while watching humorous media on TikTok or YouTube.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I have learned that we should enjoy every moment, though it may be going outside and getting a breath of fresh air, that is a moment in time that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I have learned that I consume too much media and technology, so I have learned to set limits for myself.
Interviewed by: Ashley Flores Gracias, UCLA student
Ella, 17
Media Consumption: around 5 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: iPhone 13 for TikTok and Snapchat
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We have a family group chat where we send pictures and updates about our lives . It's nice because it keeps my sister - who is in college - in the loop. We also love to watch tv together, so often after dinner we will sit down and watch something like Survivor or Amazing Race together.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We send each other lots of TikToks, especially when we see something that reminds us of each other. We also send each other selfies and talk on Snapchat.
What do you use media for?
I use media a lot, mainly keeping in touch with friends and family as well as for school. I also use it as an entertainment source - like watching Netflix or doing the daily New York Times crossword.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I don’t like the maps aspect of Snapchat because it sucks being able to see when my friends are hanging out without me. I also don’t like that people use it to show off.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I would love them to know they have a bigger impact on the people that follow them and view their content than they realize. They can say something and hundreds of people will take it to heart, so they have to be really careful.
What media do you interact with the most?
TikTok is my most used app, I use it for about 11 hours a week.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get a lot of news online on TikTok, but my parents also keep me informed so normally I already know the information before I see it on TikTok. In my history class we also do current event updates so that is helpful too.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
Music streaming services really help me stay calm. I love being able to listen to whatever I want whenever I want. Harry Styles is definitely my go to when I want to calm down.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
It is really important to cherish the moments we have because we never know what the next day holds. Also, you have to be present with the people you care about, put the phone down sometimes.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
Media is a great way to connect with people. When I wasn’t able to see my friends during the pandemic we would schedule zoom calls and play games together, it would almost feel like we were actually hanging out.
Interviewed by: Kate Yerkes, UCLA student
Isabella, 18
Media Consumption: 2 hours
Favorite Media/Technology: Cell phone
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family and I do not use media together very often. Sometimes my dad posts pictures of our family on Facebook, but the most interacting I do with my family is sending the occasional TikTok.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My peers and I follow each other on our social media accounts and occasionally send videos back and forth. If I post on social media, they will like my photos. Sometimes we FaceTime.
What do you use media for?
I use media for shopping and reading mostly.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about media is getting to hear about cool/new products. My least favorite thing is the insecurity/body dysmorphia that I get from being exposed to so much picture-perfect content.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I would congratulate them on creating platforms and media that I enjoy, and I also watch a lot of calming content so I would thank creators for helping me sleep.
What media do you interact with the most?
I think the media that I interact with the most is predominantly fantasy e-books, but in terms of more conventional social media, definitely videos.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get most of my information from the news and Google. My parents, grandparents, and I will all talk about our thoughts regarding current events when we see each other.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
ASMR videos, and also video games (specifically Call of Duty) help me to decompress.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I learned that I learn better virtually, and I have grown a huge appreciation for online schooling. I think online schooling is better because I can work at my own pace whereas in person school moderates the workload for you, which I personally don’t like.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
During the pandemic, I learned that it was very easy to get sucked into a media hole, where I would decide to watch a couple minutes of TikToks that could very quickly become hours if I was not aware.
Interviewed by: Sofia Nicolau, UCLA student
Emma, 10
Media Consumption: 3 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Tik Tok
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family and I watch movies together, share cool videos with each other, and listen to music together. We also have rules in our home for using technology which is no usage before brushing our teeth in the morning or after brushing them at night, no usage at the dining table, and no usage before all of our homework is done.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We make music videos together, watch TikToks together and learn the dances from them, send each other funny Snapchats with filters, and FaceTime to do our homework together.
What do you use media for?
I use media to interact with my friends when I am not with them, to listen to music and watch TikToks and TikTok dances, to send videos to my friends and family, to learn about new trends, and to work on homework with my friends.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about media/technology is that I can talk to my friends and my parents even when I am not with them. My least favorite thing about media/technology is that sometimes I feel like there are too many trends to follow and if I don’t follow them fast then I am not as cool as the people who do.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/to interact with to know?
I think that the people who create media like TikTok should make sure all of their information is correct when people post things because a lot of the time people post videos and pictures that are not true and it can confuse a lot of people.
What media do you interact with the most?
I probably use TikTok and Snapchat the most because I love watching videos and I also love sending funny Snapchats with filters to my friends.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get most of my information about the world from my parents. I see a lot of information on TikTok but I always ask my parents to make sure that it is true because I know a lot of the time not everything is true.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
I like watching TV or movies to stay calm because it makes me laugh and forget that things are hard or challenging like COVID was when I couldn’t see any of my friends.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
A lesson that I learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that it is important to stay in touch with people especially when you can’t see them because sometimes people can feel like you don’t care about them. I felt like when my friends didn’t talk to me that we were not friends anymore so I think it is important.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I learned that when there is nothing else to do a lot of people use too much media and technology because they are bored. My brother Liam played video games for so many hours and my parents didn’t like it but he always said there was nothing else for him to do and he was bored.
Interviewed by: Maya Luzon, UCLA student
Cloe, 16
Media Consumption: 5-6 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok, Mobile Device
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
When my brothers and I were younger, we used to all watch one or two episodes of TV together for the day. On Fridays, my whole family and I would come together to watch a movie at night. We were not on screens very often as children, but now that we’re older, we all watch TV on our own or use our own devices. We are on our screens a lot more than we used to be.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Most of my friends and I use media and technology to stay connected with one another. I think some of my friends use social media a lot more frequently, I have one friend who deleted her TikTok account because she felt as though she was on it too much. We use technology for different things. I use my laptop for school and to watch movies. Our phones are mostly to communicate and use social media.
What do you use media for?
I like to use media to see how other people live. Those are the types of videos I enjoy watching the most on TikTok and Instagram. On Instagram, I have two accounts, a personal account with a lot of followers and a dump account with only 30 followers. I can have fun with the second account and post pictures of whatever I want without maintaining a certain aesthetic. I know that only my close friends are seeing those pictures.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My least favorite thing about social media is the negative effects it can have on us. TikTok recently recommended a video to me about a girl who eats a 500 calorie a day raw vegan diet. She only eats fruit and vegetables. One of the next videos the app recommended to me was a girl talking about how she follows a 4,000 calorie a day carnivorous diet. I don’t think these videos are healthy and they can really mess people up.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I wish they would humanize social media apps more. Social media uses algorithms to intensify the content you see, it can drain you and leave you scrolling for more. I wish social media creators would regulate this. As for content creators, I think they should think about their audience and ask themselves how their videos can harm young girls.
What media do you interact with the most?
I use TikTok the most.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get a lot of news on social media and by watching/listening to the news with my parents, but I also keep up with the news for school and extracurricular activities.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
During the pandemic, I liked to watch a lot of movies to stay busy when we were out of school. Now, I like to listen to a lot of music. I have a long commute to and from school, so I usually put in headphones on the bus to relax and listen to Spotify.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
One thing I learned was how to limit my phone use. When I was younger, my parents used to put screen time limits on our phones so that my brother and I wouldn’t be on them too much. But we’ve outgrown that, so I regulate it myself. I don’t have my phone out when I’m talking with my parents, eating dinner, or spending time with family. I think that’s important.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
Before the pandemic, I used to get upset when I saw people hang out without me or do things without me. But now I don’t mind as much, I know that social media can be misleading.
Interviewed by: Kimia Azad, UCLA student
Ariana, 18
Media Consumption: about 5 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok, Netflix
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My parents and I watch TV together as a form of bonding. My mom is very involved with social media and is constantly “sharenting” about my life without my permission. I don’t care that she does it, it’s just that she chooses the most awful pictures of me and I honestly feel embarrassed.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
On Sundays I host Milf Manor where we watch this TV show called MILF Manor. It’s the one time a week where my friends and I set a time to ensure we all see each other to catch up and hang out. BeReal is my favorite day-to-day app because I can see what my friends are currently doing at that moment.
What do you use media for?
I use it to distract myself from the concept of aging and facing reality as an “almost adult”. I like it as an outlet from the real world to entertain myself.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I think that certain forms of social media can bring people together. On TikTok, there’s always running jokes in the comments that make me laugh and it brightens up my day. It helps me feel more normal as a teenager because I’m not out of the loop with pop culture. My least favorite thing is how draining it can be. I feel like I shouldn’t use it as much as I do and I can be more productive with my time.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
Something I want them to know is to reflect on their morality and what their social media has turned into versus what it was when they started. I can tell their content becomes different the more popular they get and strays away from their authenticity.
What media do you interact with the most?
Short form videos like TikToks.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
TikTok. I think it depends on what the subject is for me to trust the source. If it’s a natural disaster there’s not a lot of ways to distort that but when it’s pertaining more to celebrity news and pop culture, I wouldn't say it’s more reliable than the news.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
TikTok. If it’s to stay calm, I wouldn’t read the news or something because it will stress me out, TikTok is very mindless and helps distract me because there’s no thought behind it.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
As bad as the situation was, I learned that once you hit rock bottom, things will get better. Even if the economy drops, it will always come back up, and the world supply of toilet paper will not disappear forever. I spent more time doing activities I never really focused on beforehand like painting, baking, and decorating my room. I started to pick photos for my wall, and decorations for my room and I started to tap more into my own specific interests and what I truly liked for myself. I learned more about myself during the pandemic and I definitely developed more of my personality.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
The time I spent on social media expanded on my personality rather than influencing it. I realized the content and people I watched online helped me to understand that my interests and humor are niche but that there are people that understand me as well. I would say that’s a positive factor of the pandemic that I experienced and that my time spent on media during COVID helped me shape myself and personality to the person I am today. I should’ve focused on posting content because now these platforms are being used as an opportunity to make money and get famous. In terms of education, it taught me that education in person isn’t something I necessarily need. I can learn just as well on a computer and it really shows that all classes have the accessibility to be online. Technology allowed me to stay in touch with my friends and family during the pandemic.
Interviewed by: Lillie Yazdi, UCLA student
Greggy, 9
Media Consumption: 5 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: iPad to play Minecraft and Roblox
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I don’t really use technology with my family. The most we do together with technology is watch movies on our TV.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I go on Minecraft together and try to get onto the higher levels. We talk about the different things we had to do to get to those levels and how to get the most amount of points. We also send each other TikToks about things we think are funny.
What do you use media for?
I use it to play games with my friends and talk with them when we’re not at school.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite is that I get to play Minecraft with my friends and my least favorite thing is that my mom always takes away the iPad if I haven’t finished my homework.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/to interact with to know?
They need to add different features to Minecraft because it’s starting to get a little boring. My friends and I are thinking about switching over to Fortnite.
What media are you using more now because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I’m using my mom’s computer more. Before COVID, I didn’t use an actual computer that much, I only used iPads. I’m going on Google more to look up information for school, and not just playing games.
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 most of my information from TikTok. On my For You Page (FYP), I get TikToks about mostly Minecraft or funny videos, but sometimes I’ll get news about COVID.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I’ve been on YouTube a lot watching my favorite gamers. Their channels are teaching me how to level up in Minecraft.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I haven’t learned much from the COVID pandemic, other than we can do almost everything at home. It’s nice that I get to see my friends at school, but I liked it when I could do my classwork through Zoom.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Not really. I just learned how to use different apps, such as Zoom. Nothing really changed with how I use my iPad.
Interviewed by: Kaitlyn Bigman, UCLA Student
Jasmina, 14
Media Consumption: 3 hours a day on TikTok and Instagram
Favorite Media/Technology: phone
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family and I interact with media/technology every day. Some of us use it for work and some of us use it for personal entertainment. My parents mostly use their phones for work meanwhile I always use my phone for personal entertainment simply because I need some relaxation after a long school day.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My peers interact with technology differently than I do. Some of my peers actually talk to their friends on messages and some use it just for school. I use it for entertainment and relaxation, like scrolling through TikTok and Instagram and posting my drawings. I like to draw. I also watch a lot of DIY and drawing tutorials.
What do you use media for?
I use media for entertainment since I want to feel relaxed and have fun. I also post my drawings on media just to get likes and views. Also, search up for the new drawings videos.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about technology/media?
My favorite thing about social media is that I can talk with a lot of people who have the same interests as me. The thing that I dislike on social media is bullying. These days people bully each other and aren't afraid to hurt other people's feelings.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I want them to know that I love what they are doing and I hope they don’t stop! And make social media more fun and useful.
What media are you using more now because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
TikTok and Instagram, I started to use during COVID-19.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about changes during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
TikTok, Instagram, and parents.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during the COVID-19 pandemic?
TikTok and Instagram help me to stay calm during COVID-19. They gave more relaxation.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The lesson I learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is how to live life online. I also learned a lot of DIYs from TikTok. New cooking recipes and other hacks that I can use for school.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, I have. I learned that media takes your time easily. For this reason, I try to manage my time using social media for particular periods of time.
Interviewed by: Navbakhor Absamatova, UCLA Student
Riley, 12
Media Consumption: 3 hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
Riley shares some of the larger pieces of technology at home but has been given the responsibility of her own personal smartphone. Her mother allows her to use most apps. There are a few apps Riley isn’t yet allowed her own account with, like Facebook.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Riley describes the media usage at home as very similar to her friends. Some have their own phones, some do not, and they all use laptops or iPads for school.
What do you use media for?
Riley understands how to use the technology and the apps but doesn’t yet produce much of her own content. She does not feel pressured to post frequently on her social media feeds; she just posts what she wants, when she wants.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
“My favorite thing is that I get to interact with people, you get to see the daily lives of other people. My favorite thing is also other people motivating others to, you know, live life in a good way. The thing I don’t like about technology and media is that people use it for the wrong things such as cyberbullying.” A few years ago she had been playing a game with her brother on an app that was popular with kids. Kids Riley considered friends “got on the app and began calling me names.” When asked if this turned her off from playing the game, she answered that, “It didn’t turn me off from the game, but it motivated me a lot. They called me some names I didn’t like so I started working out with my dad to get into better shape. It really changed me, and it made me realize, this isn’t going to stop unless I do something about it. So, I went outside, started working out, got myself in shape, made a lot more friends, friends that I knew were better for me.”
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
“All I can say is that it is very addictive.”
What media are you using more now because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Riley has begun using her laptop more frequently because of COVID, not only for homework, but also to keep up to date on the virus.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about changes during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
While her parents mostly educate her about what is happening, she likes to know what is happening for herself. When her mother suggested they make the decision to get vaccinated as a family, she and her brothers already knew they wanted to do it.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during the COVID-19 pandemic?
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Riley tries to stay cognizant of how long she is using a screen versus her time on other off-screen activities. “There are things on the phone that you can see, but there is so much more around us that is not on the phone.” She hopes that the virus doesn’t stop her school play from happening again. Last year she got Alice in Alice in Wonderland, but it didn’t happen because of the virus. Now she got the part of Charlie Bucket, and she is really excited to be one of the leads.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic “did not” disturb Riley’s learning. She had no challenges adapting to the technology, although she prefers in person learning because online classes “can lag.” Riley is a very energetic kid who is always eager to learn so it is not surprising that she says that all the online learning during covid taught her to value her offscreen activities that much more.
Interviewed by: Tiffany Schwanz, UCLA Student
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
Mary, 11
Media Consumption: On weekdays, about 2 hours per day. On weekends, about 6 hours online per day.
Favorite Media/Technology: My favorite media is TikTok, and my favorite piece of technology is my iPad
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We watch YouTube, television shows, and movies together. My mom uses social media, and my dad watches videos or whatever is on TV. We usually use a moderate amount of media, but we sometimes use a lot on weekends. However, we do not use any media during family bonding time or dinner.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I like to use media to interact with each other. We talk to each other on TikTok, Discord, FaceTime, and any other social app. I also like to play Roblox, which is an online game, with my friends. My peers seem to use social media a lot. As far as I know, everyone my age at school uses a phone and has at least one social media account.
What do you use media for?
I use media for educational purposes and entertainment. I look at YouTube to watch Math and History videos, especially when I don’t understand the concepts taught at school. I also watch arts and crafts videos, and I love watching documentaries with my dad.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing is that I can watch videos about things that I can’t even imagine. I get to see breathtaking scenes and travel all over the world just with the click of a button on my iPad. For example, through vlogs, I can travel to New York City and see Times Square. My least favorite thing is that you can get a lot of criticism online. People can anonymously condemn people and share negative comments that they would never say in real life. Media can be an ugly place when people are disrespectful and rude to each other.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I wish you would look out for our safety more. Kids like me shouldn’t be afraid of our photos or other things getting leaked. You should have more safety rules and frequently check if someone is doing something wrong online. For TikTok, you should pay more attention to what people write in the comments. For YouTube, you should stop putting in so many advertisements.
What media are you using more now because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I am using TikTok way more now because of the pandemic. More people have taken interest in TikTok during the pandemic and have posted tons of videos. So, there is a greater variety of content on that platform than before. Also, TikTok personalizes my feed, and I get to post videos and find audios I like.
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 my mom and dad because the internet can be wrong sometimes. Also, my mom and dad talk about it during dinner. They usually mention anything big that happens, such as when the restaurants started closing or when the vaccine came out.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during the COVID19 pandemic?
YouTube, Roblox, and TikTok have been helping me stay calm. YouTube lets me watch any video I want when I’m bored. Roblox lets me escape into my own world, where I can build my own house or design my own characters. TikTok keeps me busy by letting me watch videos so that time goes by faster, which was especially helpful during the quarantine period.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I learned that I need to be more careful in the future because there are a lot of viruses and bad people in the real world. The world can be a dangerous place, especially with the increase in crime rates. I also learned to not believe everything I see on the internet. Some people can spread false rumors about things online, and many people will believe it.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Now I realize I need to be more cautious of the negative effects of social media. I learned that social media is not as cool as I thought it was. Before the pandemic, I didn’t really use social media that much; I only used Instagram a little bit. However, during the pandemic, when I used social media more, I started to see the dark side of it. I began seeing how easy it is to compare yourself to someone else.
Interviewed by: Sydney Kong, UCLA Student
DS, 15
Media Consumption: very frequent
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We all talk on WhatsApp and Zoom together, and I used to play video games with my brother. My mom’s constantly on her phone, most of the time it’s like she doesn’t even hear me, so I just go on my phone too.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We text each other and use it to make plans (virtually & in real life), or we game together. But sometimes when we’re all hanging out, everyone will be on their own phone individually so it’s like everyone stays by themselves on their phone, so I do it too.
What do you use media for?
I use it to chill and to not think about other stuff, like to distract myself. I use it for fun like gaming and to talk to friends too.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing is TikTok because it’s so relatable and funny, it’s just like entertaining, you know? But my least favorite thing is like the outcome of using it, like I end up spending so much time on it.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
They suck. They make your “For You” page (TikTok feed) things that you personally like so that you can't stop using it. They make it so addictive, on purpose.
What media are you using more now because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Definitely TikTok. I spend most of my time on it. And I guess Zoom/Microsoft Teams because of online classes. Other websites related to school stuff and homework.
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 mostly get that information from TikTok because people talk about pretty much everything on there, and I guess my family sometimes.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during the COVID-19 pandemic?
TikTok. I would stay on the app for hours and wouldn't really think about anything else.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I guess I haven’t really learned anything from the pandemic; I’ve mostly just been trying to get through it.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Well it's not really anything new, but the pandemic showed me just how much time I can spend on social media if I really have to, like if I have nothing else to do. And if I’m trying to distract myself, I guess it showed me I can spend hours on it without getting bored.
Interviewed by: Nora Sfeir, UCLA Student
Ethan, 15
Media Consumption: Average 7 hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok, Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My mom and I just text whenever we need something and usually just talk at home. With my older brother, we don’t really text and when we do, it's very dry. We usually just talk at home as well.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Me and my friends text pretty often, like every day. We also find funny TikToks and share them with each other.
What do you use media for?
For entertainment, to kill time, and have interactions with friends.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about the media is just the fact that it entertains me and that I can use it to pass time. But, I don't really like the fact that I use all my free time scrolling because I lose track of time. My least favorite is that it makes me procrastinate and gets me up really late at night. I want to have a good sleep schedule.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
Since the platform is exposed to all ages, I think they should watch what they post because sometimes I catch my younger brother watching some questionable things for his age so I think they should watch what they post.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
I think I'm using TikTok a lot more because since we were in quarantine, it led me to use my phone more because we were just indoors. And it made me realize how much TikTok can entertain me so I ended up using it more often.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I don't think I really watch the news because I don’t think people my age really watch the news. I know a lot of people say you shouldn't trust social media for news stuff, but if the video shows proof of a news article or something like that, I usually am quick to believe it, but I don't double check or anything like that. Our school sometimes tells us stuff about COVID-19 and I don’t really hear anything from my parents.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during the COVID-19 pandemic?
TikTok has kept me distracted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I learned that I should have taken advantage of the amount of free time that I had and should have put it into other things like hobbies, instead of video games and social media.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I learned that since everyday was a repeat of social media, eating, and sleeping, you start to realize how much you actually use it and how much it wastes your time.
Interviewed by: Yoo Jung Chang, UCLA Student
Anna, 14
How do you and your family interact with media and technology?
Lately, the biggest use of technology is using Zoom on the laptop, and my sister and I mostly use Netflix and other social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. My parents mostly use technology to watch TV and Korean dramas. We use technology much more than our parents.
How do your parents feel about you using media?
When we were little, they limited our use of technology in terms of time, but now they are open to me using any kind of social media. When I tell my parents that my friends aren’t allowed to use certain platforms, they find it weird because they believe we should be able to use them if we want to. They trust that I’m not doing anything bad, but sometimes they worry that it’ll be a distraction from school.
How do you and your friends interact with media/technology?
My friends and I use TikTok the most. We send each other TikToks, and the screen time is really bad because of it. When I start watching it, it’s hard to stop watching.
Do you have different views towards media use than your parents?
Even though my parents use social media, they don’t view it as something that is necessary. I find it an easy way to interact with my friends. TikTok allows me to see what influencers and other celebrities are doing, and most people I know around me feel that way too.
What is your favorite and least favorite thing about media and technology?
When I’m bored, it’s something that I can do, and I can spend a lot of time on it for entertainment. It’s really fun to see a variety of things. A bad thing I guess is that people get bullied through social media, and it’s kind of hard to prevent it.
Is there anything else you don’t like about social media?
Not really.
Do you think you use the media too much?
Definitely too much, but when I try to limit it, I end up failing. It’s kind of hard to control it.
Have you ever felt the need or want to get away from technology?
Yeah, I thought about it, but I never did it. I think it would be nice, but I never actually tried it.
How did you feel about this interview?
It was interesting to talk about my media use because I never really think about the things you asked me. It made me think a lot about how the media is really affecting me.
Interviewed by: Yejin Ban, UCLA Student
Joshua, 18
Media Consumption: 10 hours per day (school and leisure)
How are you using media during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Well, it has definitely increased because when I was on campus at UCLA, I would spend most free time hanging out with friends on campus, but now I have to interact with friends through social media — Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat — and my YouTube time has gone up a lot. Just overall an increase in social media use.
How many hours a day do you use digital technology?
I would say a good chunk of my time. Most of my day — at least 10 hours a day on-screen, which includes school and everything else. For school-related activities, at least 6 hours school because I have coding which is online, and I can’t do any of it on paper. For personal use, probably 4 hours.
What are some social media channels that you use? What are their purposes? What are some pros and cons about each?
I am on Instagram a lot. I usually see what people post and what they are up to. But most of the time I’m on TikTok because it’s so addictive. The scrolling option is really addicting. I don’t know if it’s a pro or con but it consumes a lot of my time. More than I would like it to. So I would say probably 3 out of my 4hours — if I spend 4 hours a day — would be on TikTok because you get that addictive scrolling. It’s not the same with Instagram because TikTok allows you to see 6-second videos and you scroll and get hooked on something else again and again. I first got into TikTok at the start of quarantine because I wanted to feel more connected to people. And it's just another outlet to do that.
Do you try to limit your media use? How?
Since I’ve been at home, I know I’ve had too much screen time so I am trying to limit my time for both personal and school use because I do not want to ruin my eyes. Most of the time, I try to cut down my personal use because I can’t help my school-related stuff. I try to cut off my TikTok time as much as I can. On the TikTok app, a guide pops up every so often and says “You’ve been on here for a while. You probably need to get some rest,” which is helpful. I do have notifications on YouTube for if you watch for too long (1 hour) or if it’s your bedtime. For TikTok, I don’t have anything set up, which tells me how much time I’ve been on it. So 3 hours can go by and I wouldn’t notice. So I should probably set up an alarm now that I think about it.
When did you get your first phone? What type of phone was it?
This was back in the day, so I was probably 8-years-old; 2010. It was a BlackBerry. It was one of those that had a wheel on it with the plastic keyboard. So there wasn't much functionality to it. I just played a game where you bounced the ball and hit stuff. I didn’t really contact anyone with it besides my parents because my peers did not have phones at that age. For smartphones, I got my first one in 2013/14. I did more than press plastic keyboards.
How did your parents regulate your technology usage growing up?
Once I came to college, funny enough, they encouraged me to install an app. I forgot what it was called but it basically tracks your location. So wherever I would go, they would monitor where I was at. So I guess they were paranoid of how much freedom I had in college. But before that, in high school, they would monitor messages without me knowing. So I thought that was kind of weird. I don’t think they cared about the content. They didn’t give me murder games but as long as it was within a reasonable range, they won’t care about what I was playing. In terms of screen time, they were responsible parents and limited my screen time when I was on my PS3 or tablet or phone.
Have you been influenced by ads you saw on social media?
I noticed that after I looked something up, they had popped up for that thing I looked up. So whenever I see ads, it's for something that I’ve already seen or looked up so I don’t really pay much attention to them. I actually installed an ad skipper for YouTube. So every time a skip ads button pops up, this ad skipper automatically clicks it so I don’t have to deal with clicking it, so I don’t even watch the ads.
How do you feel about big companies taking your data and feeding it to advertisers?
I think it’s kind of creepy and more annoying than anything. I’ve seen these things and looked it up and it’s just really annoying.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I like how many different perspectives I get to see. Not so much from Instagram and Snapchat because the media you consume is based on who you follow. But TikTok is personalized to you in a way that it gives you content that you like but not necessarily [have] seen before. So I like that I get to see a lot of different people that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen because I don’t follow them.
Do you have any thoughts on Facebook?
Before college, I thought that Facebook was only for old people. But now that I’m in college, I realize the importance of it. Because for the Dragon Boat Team, we really utilize all the features such as Facebook messaging, announcements, and discussions. So I like how all of that is intertwined with one another and we could create events on Facebook and send reminders to people. I don’t really use the Facebook platform for anything other than that. But I have been using Facebook messenger a lot more recently. I use it as my main source of communication with people.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I appreciate those messages that pop up for TikTok. I haven’t put something in my settings where it's like I only want an hour of screen time. So I appreciate those messages from TikTok saying you probably spend too much time on this app and it’s probably time for you to go to bed.
Do you think screentime is bad before going to bed?
I think it might be for some but for me, it's kind of a routine now. It’s my routine so it gets me in the mood to sleep. I try not to let social media dictate sleep, but it often does if I’m hooked on the content. Especially TikTok when it seems like there’s an endless void of content to go through, as opposed to YouTube. When a video ends, after you watched for 40 minutes, you kind of know it’s time for you to go to bed. But for TikTok, there’s no sense of direction or time. So it’s kind of difficult to dictate when I sleep when I am on TikTok, but for other apps, I feel like it’s fine.
When the notification pops up, what do you do?
For YouTube, I know that I’ve been on there for one hour, so I should probably get off, but for TikTok, it doesn’t tell you a certain time. It feels like it's only been 5 minutes. So I feel like I could do it for a little bit more. [With YouTube] usually, I disregard the message, but I do keep it on my mind so I get off a couple of minutes later.
Interviewed by: Quynh Vo, UCLA Student
Mia, 18
Media Consumption: 2 hours a day (4-5 if not at work)
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We use WhatsApp, since my dad lives far away in Lebanon this is the only way I can speak with him freely. Other than that, none of my siblings live together so we FaceTime and keep in contact mostly through there especially because of COVID.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We mostly text over iMessage, not as much as we used to talk in high school but that is probably because everyone works now or is busy in college. Oh, we also all use Insta (Instagram), we comment on each other's pictures and support each other on there.
What do you use media for?
I mostly use media to keep in touch with my family, like my dad and siblings. Or occasionally I will drop an Instagram picture to let everybody know I’m still doing well and I still exist, mostly because everyone else is still using that. Snapchat is dead now so I don’t use that and Twitter is something I will occasionally use. Oh, and I watch Netflix a lot - does that count?
What is your favorite/least favorite component of media/technology?
My favorite thing is talking to my family that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to talk to. Also seeing what my friends from high school are up to this past year, and being able to entertain myself on TikTok for hours. My least favorite thing is that it feels like a competition. We are always competing to post the best pictures and see whose life looks the most glamorous. It sounds weird but you kind of want to have the most likes and the most comments, to know people still care or are interested. You also compare yourself on media because since everyone posts their best pictures you only see that side of them and you constantly feel like you’re not good enough. Or maybe that is just me.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I want the people who create media to know about vulnerable people on their sites. And yeah they aren't responsible for people’s mental health or anything but maybe put some disclaimers? Like younger kids use their sites and it would be helpful to include that not everything is real - or that could be the parents’ job. Maybe they should make the age requirement stricter because you just have to say what year you were born and anyone can do that.
What media are you using more now because of COVID-19?
Because of COVID-19, I stopped going to school so I mostly stay off my computer and only use it for Netflix. On my phone, I use TikTok a lot. Like for hours, but other than that social media is a little toxic so it’s best to just not scroll through Instagram or anything for hours. But TikTok is funny, I am so grateful for it.
Interviewed by: Rassile Jamaleddine, UCLA 4th Year Student
Mia, 15
Media Consumption: 6 hours a day on phone and computer
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok on her iPhone
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
Every day my mom uses her Apple Watch to count her steps when she goes on runs and hikes. My dad uses his Alexa as an alarm to wake him up for work every day. I use technology in many ways. I set alarms to remind me to feed my puppy 3 times a day and I watch TikToks when I’m bored. My sister uses technology every day as well by using her laptop for school and she also uses her Apple Watch when going on walks. As a family, we always watch TV in the living room together sometimes.
How do you and your friends interact with media/technology?
My friends and I communicate by Snapchatting each other and sending text messages throughout the day. I also send many TikToks to a lot of my best friends and send funny pictures. We also FaceTime almost once a week by using our phones. We send many snaps to each other almost like a vlog daily about how the day went or what we did that day. With some of my friends, I also have streaks which are when you send a snap — a picture on Snapchat every day — and eventually, you earn a streak.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My least favorite thing about media/technology is how toxic it can be at times. Women and men tend to compare themselves to celebrities or social media influencers and that can be a very toxic environment. It can also lead to anxiety and depression, I know this because it has also given me much anxiety seeing other people's better lifestyles and just better appearance which can make your self-esteem very low. I have had a few anxiety attacks because of my appearance and comparing myself. It can also be very exhausting to post pictures on Instagram because of the pressure of the anxiety of everyone looking at your picture and judging you and the amount of life or comments can determine how popular you are to some people and overall it is extremely toxic. I have stopped posting and sometimes deleted Instagram to get less anxiety.
What do you use media for?
I use the media for a lot of things, I like to use Pinterest for room decor ideas. I love YouTubers who promote healthy lifestyles and give mental health advice. I like to watch ASMR youtube videos and breathing exercises when things are stressing me out and I can't sleep. I also use Twitter to catch up on the latest news of everything that is going on. I use TikTok for fun entertainment with quick videos that are very fun. I use Instagram to see what everyone is posting and sometimes can get news about new music or other things. I use Snapchat to communicate with people. It's the same thing as messages but more fun.
How are you using media during the COVID-19 pandemic?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I use my phone for alarms and entertainment. I also use my computer daily for Zoom and to do homework. I use my TV to watch YouTube videos after school. I also use my Apple Watch when going on runs. I also use my phone to look up Apple News.
What media has been helping you stay busy/calm during this difficult time?
During this difficult time, my Calm app has helped me stay calm and relaxed and although TikTok is a fun app it can also be very helpful. It can reassure that people are going through this as well.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID?
I never realized how much I rely on it by using technology for alarms or music and because of how much my screen time has increased. It's also made me realize how many hours a day I use my phone and how helpful it can be daily.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/ play/ interact with to know?
I would ask Emma Chamberlain to make more videos on meditation and mindfulness. Her videos help me a lot and I wish she focused more on mental health. I also wish she did more fashion videos because I love her style.
Interviewed by: Natali Delgadillo, UCLA Student
Maya, 15
Media Consumption: 7 hours and 48 minutes daily average
At what age did you first start using these devices
I shared an iPad with my sister starting age 5 and got my own iPhone when I was 9.
What are your most-used apps and which is your favorite?
Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are my favorite. I would say my most favorite is TikTok.
Why is that one your favorite?
The TikTok algorithm brings up videos that have to do with my interest without me even having to search anything. It is a way I have formed some of my favorite friendships. If I meet someone at a party and we make a TikTok together that basically makes us best friends.
Are there any negative parts of TikTok that comes to mind when you think about it?
People like to post videos that have to do with their music taste, clothes, hobbies, or opinions and sometimes this causes a divide among classmates, and cyberbullying is common with the app.
I see Instagram is your second most used app. What can you tell me about your use of it?
I mostly just follow celebrity figures, school friends, animal accounts, and a couple of weight-loss accounts to motivate me.
What do you and your friends usually use Instagram for?
I love the app because it allows me to know what my friends are up to. I mostly just post because if I don’t then people will get bored and unfollow me. I only have two posts right now though because I stared at them for so long that I started thinking I looked weird so I deleted them, and they barely got any likes anyway.
Can you tell me any reasons you have to believe that Instagram can be problematic?
People usually talk behind each other’s backs about their Instagram posts, and a couple of times other students have anonymously made accounts aimed toward posting unwanted pictures or things about other students in the class. Anytime I take a picture my friends force me to delete it, crop them out, or even photoshop them.
Do you ever buy the stuff you see on one of your social media accounts?
Not that much because I have to use my mom’s money to online shop so I can’t do it too much but my friends and I have a few times. Like there is a TikTok dancer named Charli D’Amelio who has a Dunkin Donuts signature drink named after her, and we have all gotten it and posted pictures of it even though I hated the taste of it.
Does social media impact your productivity?
I do spend a lot of time on my phone. I’m pretty addicted to it and I have put settings on TikTok and Instagram so it locks me out after I have used each of them for three hours to try to limit my time on it, but I always end up changing the settings to use the apps again until late at night.
Does the social media you use get monitored in any other way by one of your parents?
My mom used to slightly monitor my phone use when I was 12-13, just to make sure nothing dangerous was going on, but now that I’m in high school my mom does not take part in any kind of monitoring or control of how much I use technology.
Interviewed by: Melanie Aghayane, UCLA 4th Year Student