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