Over a year ago, The New York Times put out a call for teenagers who, with their parents’ permission, would let a reporter write about them. Of the hundreds who responded, three girls from three states — Addi, Anna and London — became the subjects.
They kept diaries, sent text messages and recorded voice memos about their days. Perhaps most important, they let a Times reporter, Jessica Bennett, see what was on their phones — the videos they watched, as well as the direct messages and texts they exchanged. The result is a vivid, multimedia look at what it’s like to be 13 today, at a time of dire headlines about what social media is doing to teenage brains.
One piece of advice from the series: Instead of banning teenagers from social media, try talking about it with them. Teenagers want adults to listen to them, and to create an open environment for discussing both the benefits and the drawbacks of life online.
That’s where we come in. If you’re new to The Learning Network, we’re a free resource to help people teach and learn with the news. Every school day, we post a discussion forum about something in The Times, and teenagers around the world contribute their thoughts. For this one, however, we’re inviting comments from teenagers and adults alike. Anyone who is 13 or older is invited to contribute to what we hope will be an interesting and lively intergenerational conversation about these issues.
Below is a set of questions inspired by “Being 13” to get you started. You might explore them at your dinner table, in your classroom or with family or friends. Then, when you’re ready, we hope you’ll post a comment here — or respond to something that someone else has said. And if you’re a teacher, we also have a related lesson plan.
Do you think being 13 today is harder than it was for earlier generations?
What’s fun, useful or positive for you about life online? On which apps or sites do you generally feel good?
What’s problematic or negative about your life online? On which apps or sites do you tend to feel unhappy or unproductive?
Do you feel like you have control over social media, or do you feel like it’s controlling you?
What do you wish people of other generations understood better about life online today?
Do you think you are on your phone too much? What would be the “just right” amount for you?
Have you ever been involved in a misunderstanding, fight or drama online or via texts? How did you handle it?
Experts say adolescent girls struggle with depression and anxiety at disproportionate rates compared with their male peers. Why do you think that is?
What rules does your family have about phone, internet and media use? If you were to write a plan with rules or boundaries that everyone could agree on, what would it look like?
How can adults — whether parents, teachers, mentors or those in other roles — help young people better navigate life online?
What advice would you offer others about healthy phone and internet habits?
If a reporter followed you the year you were 13, what would that person have observed? How might he or she have described you and your world?
What are the best and worst things about being the age you are right now?
Anyone 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, is invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.
