Interviewing 3 different teenagers to write my blog was interesting.Three of them did not want to spend too much time talking about digital media, social networks or their habits and culture.They were all very polite and reserved and maybe not your typical sample.
The first girl I interviewed was Camila, a Chinese exchange student, who is staying with a friend of mine in the US for 9 months. She arrived only 7 months ago and her English is improving very fast. Camila who grew up middle class in in a big city in China had her fist computer at 7 and her first cell phone at 14. She likes art and uses MSN to chat with her friends, only 25 close friends, who she met in school and knows personally. She started using FB only in the US and she is not too interested in it. She also said that some boys try to chat with her in MSN and she ignores them. When I ask her about watching TV she doesn't watch, nor does she listen to the radio here in the US.
She is not very political and does not regard social media as agents of change. Then she
remembered that she learned about the earthquake in China that led to many young people's death and how she donated some money to help families affected. When I ask her if she trusts what she finds on the net she said it depends.
The next young person I tried to interview was my friend's daughter Sophia who is 16. She was too busy to meet even though it was spring break. I e-mailed her my questions. She sent me the answers a few days later. She reported that she started using computers at 5 years and had her first phone @ 12. She is not on FB and has no interest in it. She meets friends in person and they text. She works with school theater and wants to be a set designer. She reads book on a tablet and in paper format. I asked her if she watches TV and she said not much, only when her parents watch. No radio and not much interest in news. She said social networks could have a good influence on young people. Sophia goes to summer camp for 2 month and is perfectly OK with being away from technology.
I was at a party this Sunday and "interrogated" Nino another friend's kid. He is 13. He was
sitting next to his mom they seemed very bonded. His mom seemed to have restricted his
access to computers and gaming except for 2 hours a day on the weekend. He uses the
computer to do his home work and loves to play Sci-Fi games and watch movies with his
parents. Nino is not on FB. He does not want to be exposed and possibly be bullied, which has happened to him before. He sees the Internet as a dangerous place.
The most interesting thing I learned from Nino was the new gaming expression " Rage Quit"
(see image).
Overall, my interviews where not too revealing. I think teenagers are too private and do not want to share their true feelings about this new media age. Perhaps because they grew up with the technology, they can't see its effect on them.
The first girl I interviewed was Camila, a Chinese exchange student, who is staying with a friend of mine in the US for 9 months. She arrived only 7 months ago and her English is improving very fast. Camila who grew up middle class in in a big city in China had her fist computer at 7 and her first cell phone at 14. She likes art and uses MSN to chat with her friends, only 25 close friends, who she met in school and knows personally. She started using FB only in the US and she is not too interested in it. She also said that some boys try to chat with her in MSN and she ignores them. When I ask her about watching TV she doesn't watch, nor does she listen to the radio here in the US.
She is not very political and does not regard social media as agents of change. Then she
remembered that she learned about the earthquake in China that led to many young people's death and how she donated some money to help families affected. When I ask her if she trusts what she finds on the net she said it depends.
The next young person I tried to interview was my friend's daughter Sophia who is 16. She was too busy to meet even though it was spring break. I e-mailed her my questions. She sent me the answers a few days later. She reported that she started using computers at 5 years and had her first phone @ 12. She is not on FB and has no interest in it. She meets friends in person and they text. She works with school theater and wants to be a set designer. She reads book on a tablet and in paper format. I asked her if she watches TV and she said not much, only when her parents watch. No radio and not much interest in news. She said social networks could have a good influence on young people. Sophia goes to summer camp for 2 month and is perfectly OK with being away from technology.
I was at a party this Sunday and "interrogated" Nino another friend's kid. He is 13. He was
sitting next to his mom they seemed very bonded. His mom seemed to have restricted his
access to computers and gaming except for 2 hours a day on the weekend. He uses the
computer to do his home work and loves to play Sci-Fi games and watch movies with his
parents. Nino is not on FB. He does not want to be exposed and possibly be bullied, which has happened to him before. He sees the Internet as a dangerous place.
The most interesting thing I learned from Nino was the new gaming expression " Rage Quit"
(see image).
Overall, my interviews where not too revealing. I think teenagers are too private and do not want to share their true feelings about this new media age. Perhaps because they grew up with the technology, they can't see its effect on them.
Funny, I also interviewed more than one, because I was curious about the sample-my results were similar, too. It seems that it wasn't too revealing. Very interesting that the boy has parents who limit his access and he perceives social media as dangerous. My 13-year-old daughter is constantly telling me stories about standing up to internet bullies, but I listen carefully and read her posts to make sure she isn't one!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I also interviewed more than one, because I was curious about the sample-my results were similar, too. It seems that it wasn't too revealing. Very interesting that the boy has parents who limit his access and he perceives social media as dangerous. My 13-year-old daughter is constantly telling me stories about standing up to internet bullies, but I listen carefully and read her posts to make sure she isn't one!
ReplyDelete