A Note from the Gen Z Authors of the 2023 Teens & Screens Report
Less romance and more friendship - this is what the adolescents of our 2023 study have asked to see from media, entertainment & storytellers (among other things).
As researchers in the industry, this felt like a headline-worthy discovery. But as young people, this felt like an idea that could casually blend into our many conversations and reflections on community (or lack thereof) that have been centerstage for our generation this year.
Late night musings with friends, discourse on social media, and personal meditation on what it means to connect and bond with others have all been consequential “gifts” from the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak and the isolation that came with it occupied pivotal years of emotional and relational growth for much of Gen Z, with current high school freshmen being in 5th grade (!) when stay-at-home orders were first announced.
Even as we’ve returned to more in-person routines, articles and YouTube essays on persisting loneliness continue to float around: some with a more analytical perspective, exploring reasons we may have entered “the Friendship Recession,” others more personal and titled with a simple but heartbreaking “I have no friends.”
So what’s the sitch? Earlier this year, U.S Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, his advisory confirming that the pandemic simply brought an existing issue to the forefront of our collective consciousness. Social connection has already been declining for decades prior, with the rate of loneliness among young adults having increased every year between 1976 and 2019. Quite surprisingly, young adults today are twice as likely to report feeling lonely than those over 65.
Gen Z is already discussing solutions: #UrbanPlanning on TikTok currently has 434.2M Views, with a frequently discussed topic being “walkable cities” and how they are needed for social well-being. A trending sub-topic is the necessity of “third places,” a social environment such as a bookstore or diner, separate from one’s living or working spaces, “where you relax in public, where you encounter familiar faces and make new acquaintances.” Think Central Perk in Friends!
The problem is, there aren’t many third places left for young people. From the death of malls, to the criminality of “loitering,” and a transactional culture that demands spending money to hang out in such a place - where do young people go?
Arguably, as “digital natives,” media (particularly, social media) is where young people tend to land on as their third place.
How does this digital third space contribute to this generation’s collective identity? In our opinion, what’s crucial for storytellers to grasp about Gen Z isn’t the latest slang or weekly trends. Rather, what’s important is understanding the expanded worldview that comes with growing up on the internet and being able to interact with a myriad of different perspectives. What’s important is understanding how the opportunities they’ve had to explore their own identities and understand others’ identities have shifted and changed the kinds of stories they’re open to, the kind of characters they want to see front and center, and the storylines they believe to be authentic.
And while it’s essential to examine how this “digital native” identity sets Gen Z apart from previous generations, it’s also important to acknowledge that they are the same as previous generations: they are social beings that need face-to-face interaction, something that digital connectedness cannot replace.
We received the following response from a 12-year-old participant in Oklahoma:
“The Sand Lot is a baseball movie i like. i wish i could go outside and play like [they] did at the time. today its not safe”
Though simple, his words felt like a poignant representation of what many of our respondents seemed to be hinting at: that the core essence of kids (at heart) and teens will always be the same – from camaraderie to curiosity and a sense of adventure (or even just playing outside) – and it appears that somewhere along the way, this may have been forgotten in storytelling.
So young people are feeling a lack of close friendships, a separation from their community, and a sense that their digital citizen identity has superseded their sense of belonging in the real world - What can you do about it?
Well, it goes without saying that life and art are in perpetual conversation with one another. But, we cannot underestimate the role art has in this dynamic: Oscar Wilde shared in his 1891 essay, The Decay of Lying, that despite the existence of fog in London for centuries, its beauty and wonder is noticed because “poets and painters have taught the loveliness of such effects…They did not exist till Art had invented them.”
Storytelling (as an art) has the incredible power to influence the mood of the zeitgeist and the lens through which people see the world. Ask young people what it is they want to see, then listen: Shine a light on the ideas, characters, and relationships they desire in your stories, and the same light will appear in the real world.
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
Zoe, 14
Media Consumption: Frequent; daily for both school and personal usage
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok (2-3 hours per day), YouTube (20-40 minutes per day), and Messages (10-30 minutes per day)
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
When I was younger, my parents would let me use a family iPad for an hour a day, however, I had to ask for their permission in order to use it and they would monitor my activity. I would use the iPad to play games such as Angry Birds or watch videos on YouTube. My parents used to have flip phones but now we all own iPhones. Even though I have my own phone and get to choose my interactions with media/technology, my parents still have rules. For example, I am supposed to leave my phone in the living room at night and have to put my phone away while doing homework. We also have a family rule: no phones at the dining table.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
A lot of my friends and I use iMessage to communicate. Through iMessage, we have a lot of group chats and also play games such as 8-ball through [an integrated app called] Game Pigeon. I also use Spotify a lot so I have collaborative playlists with my friends which allow us to share the music that we are currently listening to with one another.
What do you use media for?
I use it to communicate with my friends and to keep up with social media. Additionally, I use it for school. Canvas or Google Classroom. I was curious if COVID-19 played an important role in how schools decided to use media. In asking her about that, Zoe shared how since elementary school, media has been a large part of her learning. In elementary school, her class would go to Computer Lab once a week in which they would learn skills such as typing, using Word, and how to create citations. This helped me understand her grasp on media literacy and its prevalence in schools. My teachers assign homework through Canvas, and I also turn it in online through Canvas. I even have a Chromebook from my school students, which I use in class such as to read articles in my English and History classes. I like using a computer as it makes completing assignments faster—I type faster than I write. I can also easily look things up when I am having trouble understanding a topic.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
Social media can be positive for spreading awareness about social issues because I can keep up with current events through peoples’ Instagram stories. It can also be helpful for getting things done quickly. However, social media also creates a false reality since people only post the good things about their life, which is harmful because others will believe their lives have to be perfect to fit in. I feel like a lot of people compare themselves to social media standards in order to determine how they should act.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
One thing I would like people I watch to know is that a lot of people look up to them. Many of these creators have huge platforms with many followers. Therefore, they should be aware of what they post. For example, a lot of my friends used to watch Brent Rivera when we were younger and now they realize how messed up and weird some of his videos are.
What media do you interact with the most?
I interact with media through my phone the most. The app that I use the most is TikTok. Last week, I spent 19 hours and 22 minutes on TikTok. Other apps on my phone that I spend a lot of time on are YouTube, Spotify, and Messages. For school, I also use Canvas and Google Classroom.
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 information from posts on Instagram and TikTok. I also get a lot of information through my friends (especially about things happening at school or related to my peers), as well as through parents and teachers. My history teacher provides us with a lot of information about current events by showing us news articles and videos.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
Going on TikTok helps me stay busy and calm because it is full of things that interest me. I also love to listen to music so I utilize Spotify to listen to music to calm my nerves during challenging times. Some of my favorite artists are Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
From the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times, I have learned more about how to adapt to different circumstances and situations. I have also found new hobbies during these times to take my mind off of the stress of the challenging times.
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 used media to learn new things that could keep me busy. I learned how to play the guitar and ukulele. Additionally, I learned how to make different types of friendship bracelets. I learned how to do all of this through media by watching videos on YouTube.
Interviewed by: Ally Chan, UCLA student
Selina, 16
Media Consumption: 8-12 hours/day
Favorite Media/Technology: DouYin (Chinese version of TikTok)
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I live with both of my parents and my grandmother. My grandmother only watches TV and doesn’t own a phone. However, my parents and I spend a lot of time on media. We usually watch TV or a show on our computer while we are eating and we also spend a lot of time online before bed. My parents are very generous on me using media, they don’t really restrict the content and the time usage.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We like to share funny videos to each other, and the jokes of these videos are often brought up in our daily conversations as well. We also contact a lot after school on our phones as well. When we see somewhere fun and interesting, we’ll also share it to each other and go there during the weekends.
What do you use media for?
I use media mainly for communication and entertainment. I chat a lot with my classmates after school and I also keep in contact with my middle school friends through chatting softwares. I also like to play games and watch random videos for leisure.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about media is that I can find other people satisfying my needs in things that I can’t do. For example, I absolutely love dogs and always dreamed of getting a dog. However, my mother is deadly allergic so I can’t get a dog. Thus, watching other people owning a dog and playing with their dogs through videos online really satisfy me. I also watch some “mukbang” videos where people eat junk food to satisfy me as well.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I want people that are dog owners and create cute videos of dog to know that I really enjoy your content. However, please also take good care of your dog off camera as well. I’ve seen news on a few pet owners abusing their pet to create a good scene simply for camera.]
What media do you interact with the most?
I interact with DouYin (Chinese version of TikTok) the most for entertainment, and I use WeChat the most for communication.
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 this information from my parents and the Internet. DouYin sometimes feed me videos of breaking or interesting news. In addition, my parents and I sometimes discuss what’s going on in the world as well.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
I play a game called XiaoXiaoLe (Chinese version of Candy Crush), it really helps me to stay calm during challenging times as the game is very simple and I don’t have to think much about it. It is kind of like an escape mechanism.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I learned that online education doesn’t work at all especially for younger kids like those in elementary school and middle school. It’s so hard to have motivation to finish your work and watch through all the lectures without a classroom environment. I am super happy that I get to return to school and meet friends.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
My media consumption has definitely boosted significantly during COVID-19. I used to only spend 2 hours per day on my phones after school, but during COVID-19, I spend up to 12 hours each day for both learning and leisure. I learned that media consumption is indeed entertaining but also horrible after a certain point. To a certain point, I was just aimlessly scrolling through my phone because I had nothing else to do.
Interviewed by: Yuting Wang, UCLA student
Violet, 16
Media Consumption: 7 days a week, 8 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, iMessage
How were you introduced to technology and social media?
I received my first iPad and Ipod Nano at the age of 4. I grew up surrounded by technology with a father involved in the Tech and Telecommunications industry. Through his access to tech, I recieved my first smart phone in fifth grade. After moving across the country and abroad, I was able to keep in touch with friends and family because of technology, whether it be sending each other Instagram memes or chatting on FaceTime.
How did the pandemic affect your social media consumption?
Once the pandemic hit, I downloaded TikTok and have been an avid user since. I started spending 8+ hours a day on the application. Now that school is back in person, I have cut back on my use, but still spend hours on the app over the weekends.
What was and now is your favorite type of media to consume?
I first explored YouTube and later delved into watching more reality television as well as TikTok. I discovered YouTubers like Bethany Mota, known for her day in the life videos, beauty tips, outfit inspiration, and meal ideas. I fondly remember sneaking in hours of YouTube, and binge-watching Bethany’s videos with my older sister in elementary school. My initial impressions of the videos were fond. I always looked up to people like Bethany who always had the trendiest room decor per holiday season and had the latest Bath and Body Works seasonal products in her bathroom. Now, I like to watch other TikTok influencers like Sandra and Alix Earle, U Miami seniors known for their get ready with me makeup videos.
How do your peers interact with social media?
I think unrealistic beauty standards on social media have led to excessive photo retouching and the fear of missing out for my peers. It has normalized applications like FaceTune and oftentimes my peers use this application to minimize acne, look tanner, and appear thinner. In real life, it manifests itself into girls feeling pressured to cake their face with makeup and look like an airbrushed doll; they even seem afraid to go to the beach without makeup sometimes, especially if they know boys will be around. Although I am good at ignoring these expectations, I sometimes feel less confident, and succumb to the pressure of editing my own appearance on social media to look “better.” This leads to unrealistic expectations that my age group has to attain, creating a ridiculous beauty standard that nobody is able to reach.
How does social media influence your own age group and those who are younger than you?
Children younger than myself are being influenced by these college-aged girls like Alix Earle, contributing to the sellout of some of her beauty essentials. Some 12 year olds are buying out drunk elephant bronzing drops to be on trend when they don’t even use it. When I was 12, I think I dipped into your drugstore makeup but never high end product. In general, younger generations want to look up to role models and trends which may not be targeted at them. I think they are doing it to be accepted and “on trend.”
How does social media affect communication?
Social media has altered reality in making people feel socially awkward. Some people are unable to have normal conversations in real life and sometimes hide behind their phone because they don’t have the ease of speaking over text and FaceTime. When I spend quality time with my friends, I usually avoid being on her phone because I value real relationships more than my online connections.
Interviewed by: Grace Hillabrant, UCLA Student
Ryan, 18
Media Consumption: Daily, for multiple hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Discord, Gaming Websites, Social Media, YouTube
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We are pretty involved from a social media standpoint. My father watches a lot of television, Facebook, and other platforms. My sister is very into her Instagram persona and Snapchat. I personally use the computer a lot and play games with my friends. I use Instagram and social media so we all heavily use it on a daily basis to interact with people. We use iMessage and follow each other on Life360 and on social media.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Typically, we use a lot of messaging apps to get a hold of each other and organize stuff. We use messaging apps like Discord, Snapchat, or iMessage to contact and get in touch with each other or to talk to each other on a video or phone call to play games.
What do you use media for?
I like to use it to kill time, if I don’t have something to do, I will go on social media. I play games with friends, watch videos, and scroll through feeds, all just ways to kill time.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
I like the speed at which you can contact other people or send a message or let other people know that you have done something. Almost like the speed of interaction. I don’t like the need to have some sort of presence or popularity based on what you post and how well you are able to post on social media and frame yourself.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
As people got more intertwined with social media, the type of content has gotten more and more short-form which puts emphasis on shortening attention spans, but I think the best kind of videos that interest me is stuff that has rewatchability where it is an interesting concept played out in a well thought out manner. It isn’t meant to just be a quick video to get a view, but I want longer content that can keep me engaged but still has a concept that was interesting. I wish the content was interesting and not just looking to get a view. TikTok has incentivized creators to get pointless mind-numbing views but I would like the return of longer videos that look to grow because they are well made.
What media do you interact with the most?
I watch a lot of science people because I think their videos are interesting, I also watch hour-long Family Guy videos for background noise so even though I don’t watch TV in the normal sense I watch clips on YouTube. I also play games with my friends on Discord and hang out with them virtually.
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 social media, different news sites, YouTube or my parents. I like doing my own research to form my own opinions on news topics.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
I relax and use social media to kill time. I will also talk to my friends or play video games with them online. Sometimes we hang out outside of media too and go get lunch or ride our bikes around town for exercise and get out of the house.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I have learned how much friends and interactions with others matter to me. I know now how important hanging out with people and socializing is and I don’t want to ever take that for granted.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
During the pandemic, the biggest change was the use of media in education with Zoom calls as classes. It also helped to be able to video call people who couldn’t go out. Even though that has died down, there are still residual effects from the way institutions change like using Canvas instead of school loop with more generalized usage. There are remnants of media use that are still influenced by the pandemic. I spent more time using media during it since there were fewer things to do so I could kill more time. Now, I think I am on it a little more but most of the effects have worn off. It is about the same.
Interviewed by: Peyton Carranza, UCLA student
Sarah, 17
Media consumption: 8 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Instagram and TikTok
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We watch TV together. TikTok I use on my own, but like TV shows or reality shows, we’ll watch together. We’re also friends with each other on social media.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I use Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for memes. We send each other TikToks.
What do you use media for?
I use media to talk to my friends and for entertainment. I follow celebrities, my friends, mental health, and food accounts because they are fun to watch, and I learn too.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about media is that it is very entertaining, and I can find out a lot of celebrity drama through it. My least favorite thing is media can get really toxic, and it makes me compare myself to others. Especially when I look at all the other girls online, and it makes me compare my body to theirs. I don’t really like to post anymore because people can judge and think I’m not cool or fun. They can be really mean to other people online.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
Know that your audience can be very young, so it is important to be careful with what you say and do because that can influence me and other people a lot.
What media do you interact with the most?
I spend the most time on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
Sometimes my parents tell me about important things, but I find out a lot from social media because people always post about important news.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
I like to watch TikToks because there is so much content, and it’s really easy to keep scrolling. I also like that I can find people with similar interests or people I can relate to.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I learned how to be more considerate of other people and also how important socializing is because school was really hard when it was online. Social media helped me 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 learned that I spend a lot of time on my phone and watching videos, but I think I spent more time on it because there wasn’t a lot to do.
Interviewed by: Michelle Shin, UCLA student
Samuel, 16
Media Consumption: Instagram and TikTok. I recently deleted TikTok because I was wasting time and because it wasn’t useful and I would procrastinate other duties (like school and after school activities). I keep Instagram on my phone and average between thirty mins and an hour a day in usage.
Favorite Media/Technology: My favorite media is video games because with online video games I can connect with other people like people everywhere, even people who don’t live where I do. But, I only play during school breaks, like winter break. My favorite video games are Monster Hunter or Halo.
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We don't. I use it to view others, I don’t post much. Just to see how people are doing and stuff. We interact with technology as a resource, not too much as to post to let other people see what we are doing. We do watch TV, movies, and order things off of Amazon on the computer. Sometimes I text my siblings to send them memes. Since my brother and sister are away in college I have to text or FaceTime them when I talk to them.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We don't really text much, we prefer to see each other in person. We only text to set up a date and time. Or if it's urgent like I forgot something at school, or a last minute ride.
What do you use media for?
Communicating with others and catching up with them to see how they are. Most of the time I use it when I am bored.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing is that it allows me to communicate with others. My least favorite is that it is very addictive. Like on Instagram, it sends you notifications of who posted or dm’ed you.
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 they shouldn’t portray ideas on the youth that they are. Ideas like your body should be perfect, or a lot of political ideas that children shouldn’t be thinking of at the time. Children the ages of anywhere between from when they first get their phone to at least 16/17. They usually get their phone around 5yrs old or middle school. But by the time they complete high school they already have it. Political ideas are corrupting our youth into thinking that they should be agreeing with the media. People who share political ideas are advertisements that pop up or influencers like YouTubers. Influencers like instagram models, give people an image that they should look like that.
What media do you interact with the most?
I interact with Instagram the most.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
Instagram reels or accounts. Especially like Visalia Stringer (the home town page). My mom and dad put the news on in the morning and on the weekend I get to listen to it.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
Media doesn’t help me stay calm, it makes me anxious. There's a lot of negative stuff going on and even the positive stuff makes me anxious because I never know if it's real or if they are lying. Spotify does help me though, whenever I listen to it, it helps.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I learned to give myself opportunities and to not be so hard on yourself and on others. Since at that time, I didn’t have a phone and social media, I learned about taking care of myself. Like exercising regularly, drinking enough water, mentally taking care of myself, making sure I am eating healthy enough. I came to realize that if I could do something about something, I shouldn’t worry, and if I can’t do something about it I also shouldn’t worry. Just accepting the fact that things are out of my control has brought me a lot of peace.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I mostly learned how to use media due to the examples that my siblings have given me. I saw how they would post and I would do that, or how they kept Snapchat and how they kept up with their friends. So I did it too.
Interviewed by: Daniela Noricumbo, UCLA student
Polin, 18
Media Consumption: 2 hours/day
Favorite Media/Technology: phone/Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family and I interact with social media by watching TV shows and movies together. Even when we are having a family night playing board games, we have the TV on in the background. Also, my mom and I always send each other Instagram posts or TikToks that we think the other would enjoy.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My peers and I interact with social media by posting on social media platforms and liking or commenting on each other's pictures. We also send each other videos or posts that we think the other would like.
What do you use media for?
I use the media to keep in touch with people that I haven’t talked to for a while. People will post vacations that they went on or the schools that they got into. It’s like a life update for people that you haven’t talked to for a while. I also use media because I enjoy taking pictures and sharing them.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My least favorite thing about social media is that it can be addicting and waste a lot of your day. I have noticed that especially on TikTok, I'll be scrolling for a very long time because you are always wondering what the next video is going to be. My favorite part includes being able to catch up with my friends and also having a temporary escape when after I have had a difficult day.
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 there are positives and negatives when it comes to media. Based on Instagram, it is nice to see what my friends are up to and hear from them on my posts. However, there are also cons which mostly have to do with people posting what others might want to see. A lot of people, whether they are friends or celebrities, hide behind their screens and make it seem like their lives are perfect. This false idea leads to negative effects for people who are feeling insecure or are dealing with life problems.
What media do you interact with the most?
The media that I interact with the most is social media on my phone. If I do not limit myself, I could be scrolling for hours.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
The platforms that I get my news from are from Instagram news accounts, Twitter, or the Citizen app that gives news on your neighborhood. My parents, however, get their news from the news channels on the TV.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
The media that helps me stay calm or stay busy during challenging times is social media such as TikTok or VSCO. TikTok helps me get distracted and forget about challenging times or stress that I might have from work or school. On VSCO, I edit pictures and put together collages that help me remember good memories to distract myself from challenging times.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
A lesson that I have learned from the pandemic is how distracting and addicting social media can be. I learned this when I checked my screen time and it was progressively going up. There are so many hours in the day that I could be using to be productive and instead I was on my phone scrolling on social media. It seems that during challenging times it is common to look for an outlet which usually ends up being social media.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I learned that during the pandemic, along with challenging times where I am stressed, I look to social media to distract me. It is an outlet in which I can momentarily forget about the challenges around.
Interviewed by: Sarine Auvazian, UCLA student
Nicolas, 17
Media Consumption: Around 7 hours a day
Favorite Media/ Technology: Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My parents use technology for work but don’t really use social media. My mom uses instagram and WhatsApp to keep in touch with her family and friends, but never posts anything. My dad only uses LinkedIn.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I send each other posts and talk about them- they’re usually pretty relevant. We also use it to just laugh and escape reality.
What do you use media for?
To kill time or when I’m in class and have nothing to do, even though I probably do have better
things to do.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
How much time it consumes, I don’t care about anything else honestly, some people have problems with body image, but personally that motivates me! The main issue to me is how much time it kills. I'll check my phone and see those weekly reports of screen time and I’ll see 7 hours a day and I’m like ‘Dude are you kidding me?!?’ The frustrating thing is that I’m genuinely casually making my life worse by doing this and I’m completely accepting it.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
It shouldn’t be an algorithm that gives people what they want, because when people get stuck in bubbles of their own thoughts and ideas they need to step outside those bubbles. Try to give people better content, instead of garbage. One in every four videos could be interesting or educational, but not anything boring. Make it engaging.
What media do you interact with the most?
Up until last year it was a mix of video games - because I still had time - and TikTok. Now this year, as school has come up, I don’t have time for video games — so they’re out of the equation — unless I have time to kill in class. Otherwise it was TikTok, which I have now deleted, so then I moved to Instagram but also deleted it, and now I’m onto whatever Snapchat has. I also deleted YouTube, because I was going down a rabbit hole watching shorts, but that was really inconvenient because I need to be able to watch videos for school. So now each platform is just degrading from bad to worse.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I’ll see news articles on Snapchat, or posts on Instagram about important events. When my dad watches the news I’ll sometimes watch with him. I’ll also have discussions with my family about major events that are going on around the world.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
Music is definitely my go to. Anytime I just need to get out of my head I put my headphones in and try to just focus on the music.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
To have perseverance. It’s important to keep going and things will get better over time.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
The main thing is that during hard times, I like to escape reality and use the media to do so, but it's usually detrimental. Every week I’m not doing that good on sleep, or I’m stressed because I have a test coming up, but if I wasn’t spending that much time on my phone, not only would I be getting sleep, but I would be studying good, genuinely be happy, and comfortable and fulfilled. It has really put it into perspective for me.
Interviewed by: Anaïs Eichner, UCLA student
Roxana, 16
Media consumption: Approximately 4 hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family interacts with technology regularly, the whole family has the social media platform Instagram, and we all post stories and photos regularly and there aren’t really any restrictions as long as there’s nothing bad I am hiding, but at the same time both my parents follow me on Instagram so they know what I’m up to and I’ve never really hidden anything bad so I feel like I have much their trust having social media.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Me and my friends are on social media a lot, we use Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok regularly to post videos, photos, or just chat and see what other people are up to. Pretty much everyone has some form of social media so it’s easy to keep it touch.
What do you use media for?
I mostly use media to post photos and to keep in touch. I like to post videos or stories to memorialize the moment or certain places I went with certain people or specific events. Partly I feel like I do this to show things I’m involved in or have planned.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
Honestly, my least favorite thing about social media is how downgrading it can be on your mental health. I know I can easily be caught in the current of TikTok or Instagram and end up scrolling for hours and then realizing that I wasted my time on nothing. But like at the same time I know many adults talk about this, but honestly it is kind of true, but when you’re on social media, you easily find yourself comparing yourself to like others on the Internet and what they’re up to or how they look like and certain items they own.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
One thing that I would want someone who created the media is to know how dangerous Snapchat is. At my school we had a lecture of a kid’s mom whose son went through I think fentanyl poisoning from some dealer on Snapchat. I know and I would like anyone reading this to know I don’t do drugs or alcohol or anything but it’s scary to think the developers of this may know what’s going on but don’t wanna fix anything about it. But like it’s pretty scary media platforms can change people’s lives and things like that.
What media do you interact with the most?
The media I interact with the most is Instagram. I like to have a profile up to show what I’m doing and places I’m going to.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
Most of the information I get about what is happening in the world is from either from the radio, parents, friends, news, school, or Instagram.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
Honestly, Instagram is probably the social media platform that keeps me busy during challenging times because I can watch something for a bit or cruise around on people profile to see what they’ve recently posted.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
When COVID-19 happened I was in seventh grade so I feel like the lessons that I learned coming out of it was that I had to become more self-aware and I was maturing and becoming into a woman so I had to always be aware of my surroundings what I would say, how I would appear to other people.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
So, during COVID-19 I used social media a lot to connect with people but once I came back to school, I kept using social media as much but then over time my usage of it declined a bit. Now I am a sophomore in high school and I really like lowered my usage of Snapchat and TikTok. I mean I’m still on them a lot, but I don’t really focus my time on it as much as I used to. But I have realized that I use social media a lot when I’m in my house by myself or when I’m honestly pretty bored and have nothing better to do. Which then relates back to the question of my use on social media it feels like I’m mostly on social media when I don’t have anything to do or anyone to hang out with or when I’m mostly bored, which parallels how I felt during COVID-19.
Interviewed by: Pedram Bazargani, UCLA student
Lucy, 17
Media Consumption: Almost 3 hours a day for social media which is a weekday, weekends were an hour and half more. Feels as though when she is not doing homework or is not busy that she is checking her phone every 30 minutes.
Favorite Media/Technology: Her phone; Snapchat and TikTok are the platforms she likes the most.
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I got my phone a lot later than a lot of my friends, which was 6th grade. For the first year that I had my phone, I was supposed to plug it in in the kitchen, but eventually my parents shaved up on that rule since I would break it a lot. Since I have older siblings, I got social media before I had a phone.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
We are constantly on it and I do not like it. All of me and my friends have each others location on Snapmaps and we are constantly looking where one another is and what one another is doing. Some of my closest guy friends, I don't even think I have their phone number, that’s how we make plans that's how we see how we are all doing.... sitting in a room where 10 different people are communicating with other people on their phone.
What do you use media for?
Personally, I use media for entertainment and to connect with my friends.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about technology is that it provides an easy way to communicate with friends when you are not with them. My least favorite thing is that it creates fomo. It makes things seem more fun than they actually are.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
Snapchat: should have never created snap maps, sucks for younger kids when they don't have a set friend group yet and it causes people to feel left out. And for TikTok I would say it is so addictive I hate it but I love it, I don’t even know what I would say... you made way too addictive of an app.
What media do you interact with the most?
Snapchat and TikTok. A lot of my friends are on instagram a lot but I do not like Instagram as much as they do.
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 what is going on in the world from my family, and also from TikTok (but I take everything on there with a grain of salt ).
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
If I’m looking to stay calm I honestly find it best to stay off of social media, but I would say I would probably go on TikTok if I had to pick when to keep myself busy because I can scroll for hours and not even notice. I find Snapchat and Instagram to stress me out when I’m already having a bad time. It normally gives me fomo or something of that sort. My favorite thing to do when I need to keep calm is read!
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I have learned that I need to be okay being alone, I shouldn’t always have to be surrounded by friends to be happy. I have also learned that everything in life is temporary and can change so fast so not to worry about the future before it comes.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
During COVID I used social media to connect with people I was unable to see, but also as a distraction. I was 15 during the pandemic and spent so much time making TikToks and following the trends on there to keep myself distracted.
Interviewed by: Tiki Feldman, UCLA student
Miles, 19
Media consumption: iPhone/iPad/Macbook everyday
Favorite media/technology: Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I usually watch TV in the living room to catch up on college football games. My family and I are big college football fans.
How do you and your friends interact with media/technology?
I communicate over social media like Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat. I use group chats with my guy friends. Groupme conversations for my fraternity.
Were you exposed to media/techonology during your childhood? If not, how early on were you exposed to them?
My parents were relatively relaxed about media use as long as the devices were off by 10pm. I used to watch Nickelodeon shows with brothers on TV. My parents are also big college football fans so I was exposed to TV culture early on during my childhood.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
Favorite thing is that I can communicate freely and easily with my friends and family. Least favorite thing is how distracting social media and TV is from doing my class work.
What do you use media for?
I mostly use social media to keep in touch with my friends and family. I mostly use technology, like my phone and iPad, to do homework or to do Zoom meetings.
How did you use media during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I have noticed that I used social media to communicate with my friends more during the pandemic because there was limited in-person interactions. I participated in Zoom classes and Zoom meetings during the pandemic and still use Zoom to do my internship over my computer.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/ interact with to know?
Media plays a huge role in day-to-day life even in ways that people don’t realize. Therefore, one thing people who create the media should be more aware of is the rapid spreading of information over the internet and create a more safe and welcoming environment for adolescents.
Interviewed by: Julia M. Park, UCLA student
Leen, 13
Media Consumption: 4-5 hours per day
Favorite Media/Technology: Instagram, Snapchat, Netflix
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I text my mom through iMessages or Snapchat and I text my dad through iMessages when we need to. With my younger sister, I use Snapchat. We don’t really interact together with media so we all do our own thing.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I talk to classmates through Google Classroom and Discord for school-related things. With closer friends, I use Snapchat and Instagram to text them. We also use Snapchat to send each other pictures and Instagram to post about ourselves.
What do you use media for?
I use it for entertainment by watching videos and talking to my friends online. I also post a lot on my social media accounts, but mainly on the accounts with close friends.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about media is being able to have something to do. It keeps me from feeling bored and I am able to talk to my friends easily. My least favorite thing about media is any negative posts and comparing myself to other people.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I would like social media like Instagram and Snapchat to have better security. I have times when I get scared that my information will get leaked and I would like to have more privacy options. I also do not want to see hateful posts or comments so blocking them would be good.
What media do you interact with the most?
I interact with social media more. I post pictures on Instagram and Snapchat and keep up with my feed. I also stay in more contact with my friends by texting them through DM’s. I also watch on Netflix and find myself scrolling through the list of shows to watch.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
Sometimes, they just pop up on my for you page on Instagram or I search it up myself. My friends also share informational posts on their stories so I find them there.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
I would say Instagram because they have the reels feature and I find myself scrolling through it. That is also why I don’t have TikTok since they’re the same. It becomes addicting, which is very bad. Netflix has also helped me with all the shows I watch.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I’ve learned that too much screen time is bad for you. I found myself using my phone too much, mindlessly scrolling around trying to find something to watch. Taking a break from my phone and going out would be better for me.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I would say I learned how I use media to entertain me when I am bored. I also spend a lot of time talking to my friends online which is nice so we can stay connected when we can’t see each other. But, I also find myself caring about how others see me and I focus a lot on my social media feed which is toxic behavior.
Interviewed by: Tasneem Elsayed, UCLA student
Evan, 18
Media Consumption: Very often/Every day
Favorite Media: Movies/TV, Music
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
I interact with media/technology every day. I use my phone for social media, games, and technologies like videos and photos. I use my computer for schoolwork, internet searches, and access to media sites and shopping. I use these materials every day to entertain and support myself in my daily life.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My peers and I mostly use it for entertainment purposes. Apps like TikTok, Clash of Clans, and Snapchat are what my peers mostly use; apps that help them connect with their friends and family and pure entertainment apps that help my peers pass the time. We also use media and technology for school. Online class sites as well as Zoom and Microsoft Office are all sorts of mediums that we use.
What do you use media for?
I personally use media mostly for social, school, and entertainment purposes. This includes social media, like Instagram and Snap, Netflix and Amazon Prime, and Canvas and Microsoft word. These are all technologies that I use in my daily life.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing about it is how much access it gives us. The ability to look up literally anything, the ability to see or learn about anything in the world, and the ability to connect with people far away in an instant is my favorite part of technology. My least favorite thing is how addictive it is. It’s so easy to get lost in its features and videos and binge-watch that it becomes an extremely easy addiction. The highlights and colors and algorithms are meant to keep users entertained and that sort of dedication to obtaining viewership is my least favorite part about technology.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
Stay creative. There are so many inputs and opinions in today’s world of media that everything is starting to blend together into the same thing. Uniqueness is hard to find these days so when artists come along with new creative ideas it really keeps the media that I interact with fresh and entertaining.
What media do you interact with the most?
I probably interact with social media the most. I’m always on my phone and constantly checking the apps I have and I tend to get lost in them. Apps like Instagram, Tiktok, and Snapchat use up most of my screen time and media use.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
I get it the most from social media. Influential accounts are also posting newsworthy things so I tend to get a lot of it through social media. News accounts on my phone also help keep me updated.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
Mostly entertainment media, like games and movies/tv shows. They are a source of pure entertainment and transport me to a world that is calm or busy instead of our challenging times. They offer an escape and a source of fun and joy in the troubles of real life and even a sense of control. The fantasies and thrills of TV and video games are definitely the go-tos in challenging times.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
That sitting still in the same place doing the same over and over doesn’t work for me. New experiences are needed to help grow the mind and there was a huge lack of that throughout COVID and other challenging times. This repetitive cycle of negative behavior draws one down and keeps them from doing other things in life that are beneficial. Pursue the things that interest you and you will be able to break the cycle of isolation and difficulty that challenges like COVID put on people.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
Not to get too invested in the glamor of social media. After all that time spent on my phone during the pandemic, I saw so many highlights of people's lives. And yet I knew the reality that most people were living in and considered that the filtered world I see on my phone isn’t as positive as the posts make it seem. I also learned that social media can be addictive and depressing and that too much time spent consuming likes, comments, and videos can be detrimental to human health and mindset.
Interviewed by: Melanie Khashadourian, 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
Amy, 18
Media consumption: 5-6 hours a day
Favorite media/technology: Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We use media and technology often. My mom is on Facebook everyday and my dad watches the news through TV everyday.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My peers and I interact through technology. We send each other TikTok’s and Instagram posts regularly, and it is one of the most popular ways we interact with each other, especially with my friends who are at schools far away from me.
What do you use media for?
I use media for entertainment purposes which is mainly to pass time, I search for cooking recipes, workout-related content, I communicate with friends, and I use it for Netflix.
What is your most favorite/least favorite thing about technology?
My most favorite thing about media is where I find my entertainment. Certain posts that you come across make your day because it’s so funny. My least favorite thing about media is that it is so toxic for young people because you can get influenced so easily, but not everything applies to everyone, and people end up falling into a trap.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I would want the people who create the media to know that there are a lot of people out there who are scarily swayed into doing things they see on the internet. Although I understand that it is one of the main purposes for making them, I believe that creators should be extremely careful with what they choose to post.
What media do you interact with the most?
The media that I interact with the most are TikTok and Snapchat.
Where do you get most of your information about what’s happening in the world?
I obtain most of my information about what’s happening in the world through people I am close with or through social media.
What media helps you stay busy/ stay calm during challenging times?
I feel like scrolling on TikTok is nice for me to unwind during challenging times or before going to bed. It takes one’s mind off of things and it is an easy watch.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
One of the important lessons I learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that human interaction is very important for people. A few of my friends who were already introverted became even more introverted, and lost a lot of social interaction skills because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
My dependency on social media for entertainment increased because I was at home, and I did not have much else to do during my free time.
Interviewed by: Osheen Abnous, UCLA student
Abigail, 15
Media Consumption: 2-4 hours a day on weekdays, 6-7 on weekends
Favorite Media/Technology: YouTube
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My family and I usually interact with media/technology by watching movies together using platforms such as Netflix or Disney+.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
My friends and I use online platforms like Google classroom for class assignments and contact info for reaching out to each other. Occasionally, we use discord or WhatsApp to connect with each other.
What do you use media for?
I like to update myself on current events like what’s going on in the world, or my favorite celebrities. I also like to view stuff about my interests and learn new things in my free time after school.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing is how people can connect with one another who share similar interests, beliefs, etc. But my least favorite thing is the toxicity, such as unrealistic beauty standards which impacts people in real life (offline). I see it affecting people around me and my friends. It sucks.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
One thing I want people who create the media I like to use is that while media can be toxic at times, it is important to highlight the benefits of it by creating a positive environment that anyone can enjoy. It helps me connect with other people who are fans of the same thing I am and to have all this cool information to access. I just hope they know it’s positive as well as negative.
What media do you interact with the most?
I interact with YouTube the most. I love watching videos such as video essays or movie analysis.
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 on the local news, which I watch at home with my parents, and sometimes in my classes at school when we catch up on what’s going on in the world.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
If I feel stressed or overwhelmed, I like to use Netflix or Disney+ to watch something that will calm me down. I enjoy watching TV shows and movies, especially animated ones.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I’ve learned that spending all the time I have on my phone is not beneficial for me and will end up doing more harm than good. I spent a lot of time on my phone and later realized I could have been trying new hobbies, reading books, or spending time with my family. So later on in quarantine I would go on walks or bake with my sister.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I have learned how easily addictive social media is to young teens like me. Social media can suck people in and leave them in loopholes where they spend hours on social media without realizing.
Interviewed by: Idella Smolyar, UCLA student
Erin, 17
Media Consumption: Average of 8 hours per day (between iPhone and laptop)
Favorite Media/Technology: iPhone
How often do you and your family interact with media/technology?
My parents use their phones most often for work and family communication. My sister and I use our laptops, often for school, and our phones for social media and communication with family and friends.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
The only technology we are allowed to use at school is the laptops we are provided with. We get in trouble for using our phones. When away from school, we all have phones we use to connect via iMessage and FaceTime or social media apps like Snapchat, BeReal, and Instagram.
What do you use media for?
I use media primarily for communication and entertainment purposes.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about technology/media?
My favorite thing about media/technology is that it allows me to stay in touch with family and friends that are out of state and country. My dad travels a lot for work, I have family that lives on the East Coast, and many of my longtime friends go to different schools than me; technology makes it easy to get in touch/stay in touch with everyone.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
People who create entertainment media should recognize the importance of inclusivity. It would be nice to see more Southeast Asian American representation.
What media do you interact with the most?
I use Instagram and TikTok the most. On Instagram I post stories almost daily. My guilty pleasure media is TikTok. I'll pick up my phone for what feels like five minutes when in reality, I find myself scrolling on my for you page for hours. My sister and I always have fun sending each other videos and making our own.
Where do you get most of your information about what's happening in the world (e.g., news, internet, parents, etc.)?
My information mostly comes from my parents, friends, and sometimes teachers. Every once in a while, I will find political information on my Instagram or TikTok feeds.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
TikTok and Spotify help me stay busy and calm during challenging times. For example, I watch a lot of comedy videos on TikTok when I get overwhelmed with school because they are entertaining and provide a good distraction when needed. I also really enjoy listening to music and find it helpful at times. I have different playlists for my different moods and activities.
What lessons have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I have learned not to take being in the classroom for granted. Doing school on Zoom and being unable to see my friends during the pandemic was difficult.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
I have learned to use social media in a more casual manner because of the pandemic. I used technology a lot during my downtime, and as I began having more fun with it, I became more comfortable with posting more authentically.
Interviewed by: Renee Rubanowitz, UCLA student