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
Zaayra, 18
Media Consumption: Several hours every day
Favorite Media/Technology: Instagram
How do you and your family interact with media/technology?
We all interact with each other through various forms of Social Media. From family groups on WhatsApp to sending memes to each other on Instagram. Social Media is an important part of all our lives.
How do you and your peers interact with media/technology?
Similar to my family, my peers and I all interact through social media. We all got inspiration through social media and try to model ourselves through it. Posting regularly and seeing what others post is also something that excites us.
What do you use media for?
I use media for basically everything in my life. It is my inspiration for most things I do. The way I dress, the food I eat, and even the people I try to be like, are all inspired by social media.
What is your favorite/least favorite thing about media/technology?
My least favorite thing about social media is the aspect of stalking. I feel that some people can misuse social media and can invade the privacy of others.
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 I like to know that their content has a significant impact on my beliefs and values, and that they have the power to shape the way I see the world. Therefore, I hope they take their responsibility seriously and create content that is diverse, inclusive, and promotes positive messages.
What media do you interact with the most?
I interact with social media the most. More specifically, I use Instagram more often than other apps. I model my life through what I see on Instagram.
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 the information about what’s happening in the world through Instagram. Other than that I also get news through the Internet and my parents.
What media helps you stay busy/stay calm during challenging times?
TikTok and Instagram help me stay calm and busy during challenging times. They provide me with entertainment through memes and reels and keep me distracted.
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 the importance of adaptability and resilience. It is crucial to be able to adjust to new circumstances and persevere through difficult situations in order to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Have you learned anything about how you use media and technology because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging times?
Yes, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught me to be more mindful of my media consumption and to take breaks from technology when needed for my mental health. It has also shown me the importance of using technology for social connection and staying informed, while being cautious of misinformation and excessive screen time.
Interviewed by: Aditya Singh, 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