adolescent interview

I chose to try to get several perspectives on my questions-- so, my interview includes a 12 year old boy in our school-age program, and one of our 16 year old student employees at the center.  I took the opportunity near the end of our discussion to get some feedback for my final project (the use of digital media to improve service in an early learning facility), as well.

The 12 year old interview went as follows:

1. "Do you own a cell phone?"   "Yes, everyone in my class has one.  I have had it since 4th grade.  My parents got it for me, so that I can call for a ride after practice, or if I'm going to be late.  I play games on it too, but not using the data, because my parents will know."

2. "How often, and how much time do you spend on the Internet?"  "We have I-Pads at school.  We can use it for YouTube videos after our work is done.  The Teacher has to okay our videos.  I try to get done on time so I can watch videos, too.  I guess between home and school, I am online for 3 hours"

3.  "What social media sites do you go on?"  "Instagram , Snapchat"

4. "Did your parents or teachers talk to you about Internet safety and cyberbullying?"  "Yeah, we have an assembly every year at the beginning to talk about cyberbullies and not to give out personal information."

5. "Do you feel that the computer makes you more or less social?"  "I am way more social than before, because I can talk to kids from other schools that I wouldn't have ever met."

I used similar questions with the 16 year old tat works at our center.  

1. "Do you have a cell phone?"  "yes, I got it when I started High School"

2 "Are there any parental controls?" "No, but I have an app that shows where my Mom is..."

3." Do you use it at school?"  "We aren't supposed to have it out during class, but we all do it when the Teacher isn't looking--I got it taken away once for texting my MOM!" 

4. "What Social media sites do you use, and how much time do you spend on Social media?"  "Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat... in that order... I am always on--- all day. I always check my notifications"

  5. "Does Social Media make you more or less social?"  "More-- because my friends talk about stuff they see on Facebook or whatever-- we can all talk about it then-- it gives us something to talk about."

6. "Did your  parents or school talk to you about internet safety or cyberbullying?"  "My parents didn't, but we watch a movie every year-- Nobody really watches it anymore though-- because it's the same every year"

7."You have worked here for almost a year now.   Can you see any ways that we could improve services to our families through the use of digital media?"

(She laughs)  "There is so much you could do here to makes things easier...All the computers in the offices should be linked.. like Google docs or something.. so everyone is on the same page.  Also, you guys don't even have a webpage.  I'm taking web design this year, and it's pretty easy!  Also, you could set up a way for parents to "check in" on their kids during the day."  

8.  "Ok, last question...Did you ever meet anyone in person that you met online?"  "Not me, but when we were Freshman, my friend starting talking and texting some 'girl' that he met playing World of Warcraft.  They were talking and texting all the time-- then he found out she was an older woman and lying to him the whole time"  ( She was 26 ) His parents found out, and we all got talked to because we knew and didn't say anything. 

I found these interviews to be interesting.  The use of digital media was second nature to both interviewees.  Both young people also thought that social media  had a positive effect on social skills. .  I found the story of the woman impersonating a student in the game world really disturbing.  I was also impressed that our staff person was very quick to offer ideas for service improvement when I asked the question.  She actually noted that she had been thinking about that subject since she started working for us!