Their Stories – Technology through the Eyes of Youth

Technology, and in particular social media, are ubiquitous in the lives of young people. At the very least, an email address and internet connection are required just to search and apply for a job. However, it is their immersion in social media which most impacts the day to day lives of youth. In focus groups and workshops with first year university students in Atlantic Canada, I explored with them the impact of social media in their lives, their feelings about technology, and ethical practices for both living and being researched in their online spaces. Through digital storytelling, they provided thoughtful and insightful glimpses into their online worlds. This presentation outlines the ways in which youth understand the ruling relations of technology use and their conflicted relationships with their apps. Hear Adrienne’s frustration with using unfamiliar technology and Akinad’s story of her attempt to protect her privacy within her social media platforms.