While interning with LiveMore ScreenLess, Elaina Drake asked University of Minnesota students to talk about their experiences with digital media in relation to their identity and mental health. In addition to the questions asked, Elaina requested participants to write a response to the question, what would you say to your younger self about digital media?
In what ways would you say that digital media has helped shape your identity?
“Because, especially being a person of color in a very white world, I didn’t learn a lot about my history or the things that I was actually interested in. So I had to seek that out myself through the media. And you find spaces where you feel welcome in the media, and that represent you.”
Can you describe a time when you struggled with your digital media, your phone or technology or anything with that?
“A social media influencer, like the way they eat, the way they dress, the way they … work out all the time… I’m constantly like, oh, I should be doing that. And it’s just unattainable.”
What does a healthy relationship to technology/media look like for you?
“I would say a healthy relationship would be being able to understand why you are on your phone and never being in the phase where you are on your phone and you can’t leave.”
What would you say to your younger self about technology/digital media?
“Pay more attention to the relationships you have with people in your life.”
What does a healthy relationship to technology look like for you?
“Knowing how much you should be using it and not letting it dictate what you do.”
How do you feel without your phone?
“I honestly feel kind of naked without my phone. It’s weird. It’s like when I go out I’m supposed to be wearing clothes the same way I am supposed to have my phone with me.”
What does your phone mean to you?
“For me it’s mostly connection, because I talk to my friends probably all day every day. I’m not from the state so I talk to my family through there [my phone] so it keeps me connected to them.”
How does your screen use make you feel?
“I feel like I’m wasting so much of my time by using my phone.”
In what ways would you say that digital media has helped shape your identity?
“I have a lot of friends in different countries. It was really crucial for me to maintain relationships with people who would come and go and also with family members who are out of the country… to touch base with different places and different people and not feel so geographically locked.”