Tanmay, 18
Media Consumption: 5-6 hours a day
Favorite Media/Technology: Netflix
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We use it a lot for news and watching streaming services to pass the time.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
I call my friends every night, sometimes to play games, other times just to hang around and talk. Me and my friends use it for social media and things such as Netflix party.
What do you use media for?
Along with talking to my friends, I also use technology to make music, call family back in India and build my career. I honestly use it for either self-advertisement [as a music artist] or advertising for causes I care about.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My favorite thing is how easy it is for everyone to have a voice, but that’s also my least favorite thing because there is so many differing opinions that clash and make it hard to form my own views.
What is one thing you want the people who create the media you like to watch/play/interact with to know?
I think I want the people who run social media to know that there is an insane amount of information being put out about the world today and we should be able to control it so that it’s all accurate only.
What media are you using more now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Definitely FaceTime and Zoom, since not only do all my classes happen on them, but I also call friends and play games with them through them.
Where do you get most of your information to learn more about the coronavirus?
Though I do watch the news and get quite a bit of information about COVID-19 through that, I try to do my own research on the matter to make sure that I am well informed.
What media has been helping you stay busy/stay calm during this difficult time?
When I am stressed, I make music. I wasn’t always good with instruments, but I really have been improving at mixing and making songs. Especially since I’ve had lots of help.
What lessons have you learned from COVID-19?
2 Family is really valuable. I have a younger brother and my two parents, and more than before, I realize how much I love them and want to do everything I can to make sure that they are safe. Even if that means going to get groceries and doing chores once in a while.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of COVID-19?
I have realized how dependent I am on technology. Whether it be talking to my friends, taking classes, or even cooking. Staying at home and seeing it all in use has really made me see it more clearly.
Interviewed by: Himanshu Chaudhary, UCLA 4th Year Student