Authored by Evans M.
Member, Digital Wellness Lab 2025-26 Student Advisory Council
What does a “day in the life” look like for you with using technology and digital media? (both at home and at school)
On a school day, I use my laptop for assignments, research, and Google Classroom, then switch to my phone for texting friends and social media during breaks. At home, I do homework on my laptop, and scroll TikTok or Instagram before bed.
What are your favorite platforms/apps and why?
My go-to apps are TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube because they’re entertaining and fun to use.
What are the greatest successes or barriers you personally face when it comes to managing your technology use?
My greatest success is using app timers to limit social media, but my biggest barrier is the urge to pick up my phone during homework. Notifications and scrolling make it hard to stay focused for long.
How does your school manage technology use? Do you agree/disagree with their policies?
My school blocks social media and games on Wi-Fi and requires phones to stay in backpacks during class. I agree it helps with focus, but I disagree that even headphones for music aren’t allowed during independent work.
What are the greatest opportunities you see for teens when it comes to using technology?
The biggest opportunities are learning new skills (like coding or video editing) and connecting with supportive online communities. Tech also gives teens access to free educational resources and creative outlets that wouldn’t be available otherwise.
What are the greatest challenges you see for teens when it comes to using technology?
The biggest challenges are distraction from schoolwork and social pressure from likes, comments, and follower counts. Many teens also struggle with comparing themselves to unrealistic posts, which can hurt self-esteem.
What would you want to see changed or redesigned for technology and/or media to be healthier for teens?
I’d want built-in, unskippable breaks after a set time on social apps, and less addictive infinite scrolling—maybe a daily limit that locks the feed. Also, removing public like counts could reduce social pressure and comparison among teens.
What, if anything, do you think parents and educators are missing when it comes to understanding how teens use media?
They often miss that for teens, social media isn’t just a distraction—it’s their main way of socializing and seeking support.
Adults also underestimate how hard it is to log off when schoolwork, social life, and entertainment all happen on the same device.
What guidance or advice do you have for parents and educators to help teens to build and maintain healthy behaviors around digital media and technology?
Set clear but flexible boundaries together with teens, not just for them like phone-free dinners or “no screens after 11PM.” Also, model healthy tech habits yourself and ask about what they actually enjoy online instead of just monitoring screen time.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Protect your peace by muting toxic accounts and unfollowing anything that makes you feel bad about yourself. Remember that what you see online is often a highlight reel, not real life and it’s okay to log off anytime you need to.
Evans M. is a member of the Digital Wellness Lab’s 2025-2026 Student Advisory Council, and is currently a high school junior in Aurora, Colorado.
The author of this article is a young person who has been engaging with the Digital Wellness Lab about topics of young people’s safety and wellbeing within digital environments. Here at the Lab, we welcome different viewpoints and perspectives. However, the opinions and ideas expressed here do not necessarily represent the views, research, or recommendations of the Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children’s Hospital, or affiliates.