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Damilola Abiodun

A sophomore in high school from Maryland

What do you want to do after high school?

I want to attend a 4 year college and pursue a career in the engineering field.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

I feel the most happy when I am talking with my friends. I feel the most positive when I watch informative videos on youtube.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

Don’t spend too much time on the internet. It is very easy to keep your nose buried in your phone but it is also very important to go outside and still be young.

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Stephanie Boye-Doe

A senior in high school from New York, NY

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

I believe that technology is a powerful tool when used correctly. I want to be able to empower people through technology and create safer digital environments for everyone.

What do you want to do after high school?

I want to become a therapist or a clinical behavioral psychologist.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

Talking with friends about shared interests or laughing at funny content.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

You don’t always have to be involved in everything, let yourself take breaks when you need to.

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Rome (Roman) Di Giulio

A Senior in high school from California

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

I’ve found that the digital world and mental illness in teens go hand in hand. I want to make any impact, even the smallest dent, on the growing mental health epidemic in our world, and I think the Digital Wellness Lab will give me ample opportunities to help.

What do you want to do after high school?

In any way possible, I would like to make a contribution in combatting the mental health crisis that has become so prominent. Whether through therapy or counseling, or designing spaces accommodating to all individuals.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

The happiest I’ve been online is most likely socializing with friends. Especially during the lockdown, it was comforting to converse and feel any sense of normality amidst an abnormal time.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

Be mindful that you are interacting with other humans, just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Most people will forget that and be unusually cruel, that isn’t normal and don’t let it get to you.

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Khufu Holly, Jr.

A senior in high school from South Carolina

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

I decided to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council because I want to positively contribute to the digital world. As a young person living in our age of technology, I’ve not only encountered immense positivity online, but also the negativity that comes with it. By joining the Student Advisory Council, I hope to be able to influence platforms to be able to have a more positive impact on people like me.

What do you want to do after high school?

I want to major in biomedical engineering, then go to medical school and become an immunologist.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

I am watching a Youtube video by one of my favorite creators.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

Not everything you encounter on the internet is real, nor is it meant to be glorified or attainable. Use the internet to learn to love yourself, not how other people perceive people like you.

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Jayla Johnson

A senior in high school from Louisiana

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

The use of the Internet has become intertwined with our daily life to the point where it’s impossible not to encounter it-especially for youth.I want to play my part in ensuring that teens today are aware of the negative influences of the internet and social media, but also the positive outcomes of both as well.

What do you want to do after high school?

After high school, I plan on obtaining a Bachelors and Masters in psychology and becoming research psychiatrist.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

When I find an interesting video on Youtube.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

The opinions of others do not have to be yours and that there’s always more than what appears behind the screen.

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Nylah Jordan

A junior in high school from California

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

In an age where technology can be both beneficial and harmful, it is important to know how to navigate these spaces to not only communicate effectively with others, but also to improve our own lives. I want to make sure that others utilizing technology, especially teenagers, are using it in a way that can help benefit them socially, as well as making others aware of what to avoid when navigating through the various spaces of the internet. I want to create a healthier environment for teenagers, children, and even adults who are engaging in various digital environments.

What do you want to do after high school?

I want to possibly pursue a career in a technology related field (computer science, digital marketing, etc.) while also pursuing something related to political science or government.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

I am usually talking with friends or creating boards on Pinterest!!

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

Avoid being on the internet too long as it is easy to get addicted. Not everything on the internet is genuine so try to filter out any perceptions you might have. Make sure to take a break from social media and take advantage of your childhood.

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Eliase Kiflezghie

A sophomore in high school from California

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

Unfortunately, based on my previous experiences, the internet is not a welcoming or safe environment. I, therefore, decided to join the DWL Student Advisory Council to instruct others on how to use the internet responsibly and to direct them toward a safe online environment. I want to improve the internet and make it a more healthy environment for all users moving forward. I also joined because it seemed like a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a great cause while simultaneously learning something new.

What do you want to do after high school?

At UCLA, I want to study either computer science or politics. I have been torn between pursuing a career in computer science and one in politics because I have always found both to be interesting and
enjoyable.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

Most of the time, I’m interacting with people or learning about new music or interests.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

Being extremely cautious is the advice I’d give to my 10-year-old self since, although the internet can be lovely, it can also be quite dark. I would also advise against using it as frequently because it can become quite addictive and bad for your general health. I still use my phone a lot, and I wish I had known when I was younger to put my needs and mental health before the internet. Live your childhood to the utmost!

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Jose Santana

A junior in high school from New York

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

As a teenager living in these times where the online world is making such a huge impact on many lives, I think it’s important that we know how to use it correctly. I want to change to the online world to make it a healthy and safe place for all users, especially the youth.

What do you want to do after high school?

I want to go to college to study something related to Computer Science/Cybersec to then get another degree in Theology.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

I am talking with friends online, moderating communities, doing homework, making YouTube videos, or just learning/researching new things!

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

Please use the internet with moderation, at your age this can become very addicting and it’s important to take care of yourself before anything.

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Christina Astrid Sime

A senior in high school from Massachusetts

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

Nowadays, I feel like the internet and social media consume everyone, especially within this generation, Generation Z, and I want to help make sure what we’re consuming and what we’re consuming is more beneficial to us than harmful. There are many things that can be found on the internet, and it can only take one thing to send someone down a rocky path.

What do you want to do after high school?

I would like to be a professional dancer/back-up dancer and a pediatrician or a profession having to do with disease.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

I love to watch my favorite TV shows while eating some of my favorite desserts.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

I know you want to build your social profile but make sure to not let it consume who you are.

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Sydney Wong

A junior in high school from Virginia

Why did you decide to become a member of the DWL Student Advisory Council?

There’s a lot of places where people can gain an unhealthy experience through devices, whether that be through social media, or through an online community. I believe offering my experience would be able to create a healthier environment.

What do you want to do after high school?

I would like to be an ER doctor.

What are you doing online when you feel happiest, most positive?

I really enjoy reading and spending time with my friends online.

Advice you’d give your 10-year old self about the internet:

Reading is fun, but make sure to not lose connection. You have the internet now!