Adolescent Interview

I was debating whether to interview a family member or friend for this interview.  The family member wanted to do the interview and showed eagerness.  I decided on the family member.The adolescent I choose for my interview I will name Jaycee. Names have been changed for privacy purposes.  She is 15 years old and a Junior in high school.  Most of the answers were right to the point.  My guess is she probably wanted to get back to her cell phone, Netflix show or listening to her stored music.  The 3 choices of entertainment and pastime of a typical teen.

The Q and A session:

1. What are some social media sites you use?

     I use Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Vsco (just pictures.)

2.  Which social media app is your favorite?

     Twitter because it opens you up to good quotes, it is educational and funny. I like how it involves      politics.

3.  How much time per day do you use social media?

     Since I practice for cheerleading now probably about 3.

4.  Would you rather use your phone or computer if given the choice?

     Definitely, a phone.

5.  Do you post pictures or text more?

     I text more.

6.  At what age should a teen own a phone? or computer?

     Thirteen.

7.  Are you careful of the text and pictures you send?

      Yes.

8.  Are you aware of cyberbullying and understand how it can harm someone?

     Yes, I am aware.

9.  Have you ever had your phone taken away at school?

     Yes!  My math teacher has me place it in a basket at the beginning of class.

10. Do you follow the rules at school regarding cell phones?

      Yes, I follow the rules.

11. Do you feel students should always have access to their cell phones at school?

      Not during class.

From a parent's perspective I feel that there is too much access to information on the internet and it makes me uncomfortable.  I can monitor but I feel a loss of control because it is difficult to monitor all the time.  While it is convenient and tempting to text a child to check on their location or well being, there are times when it is not appropriate.  I find myself a victim of the parent that once had texted a child during school hours.  I was relieved to hear that she follows the rules in class and that her teacher takes the phone away during math.  I feel that it will alleviate to temptation to text. After speaking to a teacher once about the cell phone and teens and how it distracts them, he said we have opened Pandora's Box.  He mentioned how it is a problem with homework.  I feel this is true, as well.  Perhaps more self control needs to be taught or learned.  It is hard to set aside the phone with all it's fun apps and do history or math homework.

As far as Jaycee is concerned, her phone is her social connection mostly face timing, chatting, listening to music and staying connected to school and friends via text or pictures.  She did mention how much she enjoys to tweet.  She has a sense of humor and mentions how many hundreds of likes she once received on Twitter. I didn't know before how much she loved to tweet.  I was also shocked how she was aware of someone that was cyberbullied.  This is a problem she realizes.  What is so difficult is that teens learn by making good and bad choices.  It takes one bad choice to learn the hard way and by cyberbullying everything is out open in cyberspace.  Nothing is kept private and I feel it is a big issue. Schools should approach the difference between bullying and cyberbullying.