Adolescent Interview

     After viewing the video, NPR Interview with Sherry Turkle “In Constant Contact We Feel ‘Alone Together’” and “Jane Gonigal:  Gaming can make a Better World”, I developed a set of interview questions to ask an adolescent.  I wanted to confirm that their theories on how adolescent view and react to technologies were indeed accurate.  The interview questions were divided into six categories:  general questions regarding the social media accounts and use, adolescent view of parental use of technology, communication/social skills learned through social media, cellular telephone use, view of self through social media and education.  I interviewed a 17 year old male student.

     The interviewee stated that social media is a distraction from homework because one is expected to be connected at all times.  There are advantages as well such as getting help with homework.  When the interviewee was asked about the reason for the first social media site, the response was that it was what all his friends had and he wanted to be like his friends.  The interviewee makes a valid point here.  What is seen as an advantage can become a disadvantage when not used with caution. 

     When asked about the parental use of technology, the interviewee felt that his parents needed to use more technology to “catch up with the world” (Anonymous, 2015).  Technology is seen as the future and parents are not pacing with the changes.  The interviewee felt that his parents have never placed technology ahead of communicating with him and he does not feel that his parents expect him to be constantly in contact with him.  The reason for his parents never placing technology ahead of him was not explored.  It is possible that the parents don’t have the technological skills necessary or it could be because connecting with their son is more important.

     With the increasing use of social media, the concern has been a declining emphasis on face to face communication and social skills.  It appears that adolescent still prefer to communicate face to face than through social media.  The interviewee wanted to see and hear the reaction of others.  His communication skills were rated 4 on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best.  The interviewee is able to communicate in a variety of ways with people who have different characteristics and personalities.  Social media has not impacted his communication skills.  However, social media does make it easier to talk with someone face to face because you have already read about them.  “Most people will put their lives on Facebook so you already know what they like to do and talk about” (Anonymous, 2015).  It appears that not everyone puts their complete lives out there for all to view.  Some people are selective in the parts that are shared.  You will neve4r learn everything about a person from their social media site.  Face to face interaction is still important.

     The above comment transitioned the discussion into whether social media is a reflection of the interviewee.  The interviewee portrays some feelings accurately on social media such as sports and relationships.  Other issues are private and should remain private.  When asked about social media, the interviewee stated that cyberbullies were not cool and bullying make them look bad.  It’s the coward’s way.  The interviewee was never a victim of bullying and has never bullied.  I felt that the questions regarding bullying were person and probably better suited to an anonymous survey. 

     Cellular phone use was explored as Turkle believed that children are receiving cellular phones at an early and earlier age.  The interviewee received his first cell phone at the age of 11 because he was playing baseball and traveling without his parents.  The cell phone was bought to stay in contact with them.  The interviewee does admit to spending all day connected through his cellular phone.  This is normal behavior because his generation uses technology for everything.  When asked if there was ever a time that he was without his cell phone, what did he do, the interviewee responded that he was once grounded and his phone was held hostage.  During that time, he slept and did exercise. He felt completed disconnected from society.

     The final issue discussed was who is responsible for educating our adolescent.  The answer I received was shocking.  I expected the interviewee to place responsibility on teachers and the educational system.  Instead, the interviewee felt that the “world around us”  (Anonymous, 2015) is responsible.  “We see it every day and by seeing it every day you begin to pick up on things” (Anonymous, 2015).  Teaching technological skills is the responsibility of all of us…..in the classroom and outside of the classroom.  Parents, we need to do our part.  We can’t push this enormous task off to the school systems.  Our adolescents have spoken.  It is up to all of us.

     I have made assumptions based on a sample size of one.  This sample would need to be much larger in order to make any convincing arguments.  While technology is important to our future, adolescent acknowledge this fact, they are also aware of the societal limitations.  They are fully aware of our part and their part in teaching future generations.  Even with all of the technological advancements, face to face communication still has a place in society.

References

Anonymous. (2015, July 25).  Adolescent Interview on Social Media. (C. Truitt, Interviewer)

McGonigal, J. (2015, July 24). Jane McGonigal:  Gaming Can Make a Better World. Retrieved from www.youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE1DuBesGYM&feature=youtu.be

Turkle, S. (2015, July 24). NPR Interview with Sherry Turkle “In Constant Digital Contact , We Feel Alone Together”. Retrieved from www.npr.org: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=163098594&m=163179068