Interview

 

I interviewed my daughter.  She is 12 years old and is in 6th grade.  The middle school she attends is the only middle school for all the elementary schools in her district, 4 in total. So, she has been able to expand her social network, even though she still hangs out with mainly the same people.  She got a phone the summer prior to starting middle school. Some of her friends had phones and she would use mine to chat with them. At times that became inconvenient for me. It was then that we decided to look into getting her a phone.  She was given her dad's old phone. But there were definitely rules attached to it.  She is not allowed at this point to have any social media on her phone.  So, my questions that I wanted to ask about social media were tailored to what I already knew about her lack of using it. 

The reasons behind this were two fold. First, she was trying to interact with her friends in a digital way, but it was difficult to do so when she would need to borrow my phone. Second, she would be taking the bus home from school and would arrive home before us.  Therefore, we wanted a way for her to let us know she was home. In Gross' (2012) interview with Turkle, Turkle mentions that this is the parents thinking behind getting phones for their children. 

Doing this interview was interesting.  Since I was doing it with my daughter there were not many things that surprised me by what she said. It was interesting when she said that she did not want to have social media.  When I asked her about what she knew about social media I thought she might have known a bit more about it or that some of her friends might be using it.

The comments about me being on my phone too much was powerful, and it made me think of the interview with Turkle.  In the interview Turkle talks about how parents are texting and missing things that are happening with their children. That parents are on their phones texting, checking email or even on social media.  My daughter’s response that she gives is similar to the interview the Turkle mentions about the boy and his father watching the football games on Sunday. (Gross, 2012)

Below are the questions and answers to the interview:

 

1. What do you use your phone for the most?

 Probably texting or calling my friends and family. Also setting an alarm for school or something.

2. How do you use technology at school?

We use chrome books. We use google classroom which is an app on the Chromebook and teachers can post assignments and kids can do them and turn them in. Its helpful cuz things don’t get lost as much.  You don’t have to worry about things getting ripped or recycled, or spill something on it.  You can find it (work) in one spot.

3. How does technology help you with learning and schoolwork?

Well, it’s helpful because you don’t loose your papers.  If your sick and you don’t have the papers with you, then you can log into google classroom and get the assignment even though you are not at school. You don’t feel like you’re behind.

4. What programs or apps do you use at school?

Google Classroom

Minecraft Edu.

Google Docs,

Google Slides

 World book  that’s where you can find information if you are trying to research something.

Email is really helpful because when you can’t tell a teacher or someone thar your working with something face to face you can email them and its helpful b/c you can get the message and its not too late.  If you forget your homework at school you can email your teachers and let them know or they can give you advice.

5.Which one of these is the most helpful to you as a student? Why?

Probably google classroom b/c you can get stuff done when you’re not at school. Like I said before you don’t have to worry about your work getting lost, ripped, or you don’t have to worry about having a printer.  You click the turn in button that is posted, your teachers can see your work and leave comments saying if it is right or wrong.

6. What do you know about social media?

I don’t really know that much about it b/c I don’t have it and I don’t really want it. What I have on my phone and my chrome book is enough.  I know that a lot of grown ups have it like Facebook.

7. Do any of your friends use social media?  What social media apps do they have?

Um, not that I know of.

8. Do you want to be able to use social media? Why or why not?

No. Just b/c I am fine with what I have, and I feel like you are safer w/o it b/c you don’t have to worry about your account being broken into, like what happened to you (points at me). It stressed me out b/c there were pictures of me, the dogs, and dad.

9. Do you think your parents are on their phones too much?

Yes. I feel like my mom especially when I am trying to talk to her.  She is always on her phone. And then it makes me feel like she is not paying attention and it frustrates me.  And later when, like I go to bring up that same subject she doesn’t remember or know what I am talking about cuz she was on her phone. My dad basically watches skiing or golfing videos which I find boring.

10. How do you feel when your parents are on their phones?

Sometimes frustrated b/c I feel like they are not listening to me, and it makes me mad when I say they are not listening b/c they say they are even though they aren’t.  Sometimes I feel ignored, and I am trying to say something that is important to me, and they are doing their own thing.

11. When is a time that people should not be on technology/phones? Why do you think this?

When they are outside b/c you are supposed to be getting exercise. Maybe when you are at a family or friends b/c its rude to be on your electronics unless you are watching a movie all together.

When you are at the dinner table or a restaurant b/c you are supposed to be spending time together and it feels like your ignoring them which is how I would feel if someone was on their phone.

 

References:

Gross, T (2012, October, 17).Fresh Air. In constant digital contact, we feel ‘alone together’. [Radio Broadcast]. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2012/10/18/163098594/in-constant-digital-contact-we-feel-alone-together.