Kiera
Kiera
—
19
I don't use social media because it never made me happy. Life is so much more fun without constantly comparing myself to others on digital platforms. Those comparisons are way too easy through social media, often showing unrealistic images.
I wonder why not everyone just stops using social media. It seems like everyone hates their phone and feels insecure about social media, but people keep using it because it's addictive and there's a whole industry built around it.
Of course it is totally fine to connect with each other through a screen, but for me, the 'we-feeling' disappears because the range of social media is so wide. My friends and I use our phones in our own ways to keep things small-scale. We, for example, use a shared photo album in which we post photos of only ourselves.
Perhaps it would help if the number of people you can follow on social media would be limited. For instance, if you could follow a maximum of 150 people, you'd be much more critical and you'd only select the people you really enjoy.
Rigmundis
—
19
My relationship with my phone and social media feels pretty unhealthy. I've been watching YouTube since I was young, and Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat came along later. I quickly realized that this constant information overload wasn't good for me. I'd start scrolling and suddenly two hours had passed. That is why I deleted TikTok two years ago. It was a good decision.
Then I noticed I was spending more time on Instagram and YouTube. I had too much screen time: I'd regularly be on my phone for eight hours a day. Eventually, I deleted Snapchat too. I use Instagram mostly to promote my band. YouTube is still tricky: it seems educational, but it still sucks up a lot of time.
I've tried a few times to reduce my screen time, for example by using a 'dumb phone.' It was really annoying, you can basically only send texts. I use a workaround now: an Android phone. You can use Spotify, but everything else works so poorly that I hardly use it.
I wish the algorithm would be changed into something less addictive. Social media are designed to keep me on my phone for as long as possible. They make a profit out of my attention. Even though we all know it is bad and addictive, it is still hard to resist as long as the algorithm doesn't change.
Darryl
—
18
I think I’m using my phone a lot. My screen time is about 10 to 12 hours per day, mainly due to TikTok. I’d really like to become a content creator. I’m imagining what it would be like to make my own videos about skin care and to share my daily life. Social media offer a platform to express my creativity and passion and I’m really looking forward to taking that step.
However, I do think that certain challenges come with being a content creator. Negative comments can be pretty discouraging, I’ll admit. The idea that you can get a lot of positive feedback, but that you will also face hate is something I have to prepare for. If you can handle criticism, you’re already a step ahead.
I believe in the importance of sharing positivity and happiness, so I think I could improve the online atmosphere. I want to use my online presence to inspire others, but also make sure I’m protecting myself.
It would be better if there would be more transparency about paid promotions and if you could filter out haters as much as possible. For example on YouTube, it is clear when an item is a paid promotion. It should be like that on TikTok too: people would be less likely to buy things. And if you could remove negative comments more quickly, you’d be able to create a healthier online environment for yourself and your followers.
Yron
—
22
Social media polarise more than they connect. I see the negative impact, like the spread of racist and xenophobic messages. It divides people because their ideas become more extreme. In my opinion, the digital world plays a big role therein.
In my daily life, I’m trying to bring young people closer to politics. That is why I started creating explanatory videos about political issues. The great thing is that these videos have helped friends to talk about politics, while they generally weren’t interested in it. This proves that social media can also be a powerful and positive tool.
I would be an advocate of stricter regulations to combat racism and hate speech more effectively. In my view, freedom of speech doesn’t mean that we should tolerate disrespect. As social media are relatively new, we often feel like it’s an unmanageable jungle. Like we can not do anything about it: neither adjust, change, nor regulate it. But they were created by people. If you are able to create something, you are also able to regulate it.
It’s about time, in my opinion, to start using technology in a better way to support online conversations that are respectful and constructive. Social media should remain platforms for genuine communication and should not be a place where conflicts are only fueled.
Sirife
—
22
As an Events Management student, I am fascinated by the impact of social media and technology on our daily lives. This topic really resonates with me, especially because I see how young people are growing up with technology these days.
I feel like I belong to the last generation that grew up without a phone. When I look at the younger siblings of my friends, it seems like their direct contact with the real world is decreasing.
For me personally, it is also a challenge to put my phone away, as it’s such a big part of my life. Recently, I deleted TikTok. I’m trying to be more mindful about using my phone, especially during social interactions. At certain times, I really need to take mental health walks after scrolling. When people around me are still so absorbed in their phones, their lives seem fake to me.
I think it’s important to relearn social skills in the offline world. We need to create new moments or rituals during which you’re not on your phone. Especially when you’re spending time with your friends.
I also think there needs to be more awareness among parents about the importance of raising children who are not constantly busy with their phones. By being more mindful of technology, we can lead real lives again.
Fay
—
6
I don’t have a mobile phone. One of my friends already has one. He plays games and can use it to make calls and send messages. But I’m not allowed to look at his phone. I did once send an email on the computer. I asked the City of Amsterdam if we could have small gardens in front of our house. They replied that we would receive seeds to plant, that was really fun. It took a few days before we got a reply from the City, but I didn’t mind. Now all of us have a little garden: me, my brother, my father, and my mother.
Alexander Scholtes
As a professional, I'm deeply concerned about the profound impact the digital world is having on our youth. We're witnessing an alarming trend of young people becoming so engrossed in social media that they're scrolling late into the night, often fully aware of the negative consequences yet unable to break free. I'm not immune to this myself – I've caught myself spending far too much time on Instagram. This issue is affecting people of all ages.
Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation, really struck a chord with me. He makes a compelling argument that while we go to great lengths to protect our young people in the physical world, we often leave them vulnerable and exposed in the online realm. This is unacceptable and must change. We urgently need stronger legislation to safeguard young people from the addictive nature of social media algorithms. That's why, over the next few years, I want to collaborate with other cities and young people to lobby in Brussels for European regulations that address these harmful algorithms.
We also need to provide assistance when things go wrong, such as the spread of harmful fake content. Young people need to know where to turn for help and support. I firmly believe that by combining effective legislation with increased public awareness, we can create a digital environment that is far safer for our youth. Ultimately, our goal should be to foster a society where young people feel secure and protected, both online and offline.
Laya Leysner
The young people we work with don't see a clear line between their online and offline lives. It's all one big mix for them. For older generations, that's often different, and we need to be flexible in how we approach them. As youth workers, our job is to be there for young people, both online and in person. The challenge is helping them use social media in a healthy and safe way.
Young people are bombarded with so much online, it can be hard for them to make good choices and think critically. This can make them vulnerable, as the digital world has fewer rules and regulations than the real world.
But it also offers opportunities. Young people can experiment with their identity online and find their tribe. That's often easier and faster online than in person. We need to support them in building their online resilience. Together with organizations and tech companies, we as youth workers are always looking for ways to improve this by talking to them, giving them information, and creating a safer online space.
What I love is that we as youth workers can also learn from young people. Their expertise in social media is super valuable, and together we can create a two-way street where they help us understand and use new digital trends.
Merel Uildriks
Like so many other parents, I feel the immense pressure to give my child a smartphone. It's become the norm to hand them out in elementary school, even though we all know how addictive they can be. If adults find it hard to put their phones down, imagine how difficult it is for kids. Their developing brains simply can't resist the urge. Kids spend hours glued to their screens, time that could be spent on other, more important things.
What really gets to me is seeing kids completely lost in their screens. It's everywhere – at parties, at sports clubs, kids with their heads buried in their devices. It feels like smartphones are stealing away their childhood. That's why movements like 'Smartphonevrij Opgroeien' are popping up all over the world. We want kids to have a chance to grow up without being constantly connected.
By collectively deciding to delay giving our kids smartphones, we can break free from that social pressure. If just 25% of a class joins, it can make a big difference. On average, that’s about 6 kids. We're seeing a lot of support for this idea. Our inbox is flooded with messages from parents at hundreds of schools. Even school boards and politicians are starting to talk about it. It makes me hopeful.
Erik Ex
As a history teacher, I've noticed that while young people certainly benefit from the digital world, there are also some downsides. The digital world is highly distracting, but concentration is essential for learning. Additionally, they read less at home, making it harder for them to acquire knowledge.
This isn't the fault of the young people themselves; social media is designed to be addictive. We don't let teenagers drive or drink alcohol, do we? Adults have a responsibility to guide children in these matters. At our school, we addressed this by implementing a policy of leaving phones at home or in lockers. Since then, the atmosphere has improved dramatically, even during breaks.
While social media can make it easier for like-minded young people to connect, I believe it also has a downside. If you're introverted or struggle with confrontation, school is typically where you learn how to relate to others.
It can be tempting to avoid conflict or take the easy way out online, but this is not always beneficial for personal growth. Just as running with the wind doesn't make you a faster runner, social media doesn't always help young people develop better relationships with themselves and others.
That's why I always tell my students to put their phones away when they’re doing their homework, ideally far away, on a different floor. 'Cut your screen time in half and double your reading time,' I heard a colleague say recently. You'll find you feel happier and that the time you do spend online is much more enjoyable and meaningful.
Voices of Amsterdam's youth
Intro
How attached are you to your phone? Can't you live without it? Or do you sometimes deliberately put it away? ATTACHED dives into the digital world of young people in Amsterdam. They wrestle with questions like: how do you find a healthy balance between digital life and real life? When does a digital connection shift from enriching to addictive? Is it possible to build a healthy relationship with your phone, and if so, what would that take? ATTACHED gives these young voices space to be heard and provides a platform to showcase their ideas for a digital world that is positive, healthy, and safe.
We believe that things can and should be done differently.
We want apps that connect us to people we really know
We don't want to be flooded with content from strangers.
We want more control over our online experiences
We want to decide how much time we spend on apps and what content we see.
We want caregivers to support us better
Caregivers should be more aware of the impact of technology and be helped to guide us better.
We want transparency about algorithms and advertising
How do algorithms work and when are we exposed to advertising?
We don't want hate and polarisation
Platforms must actively combat hate and ensure a positive online environment.
What does your relationship with your phone look like?
We've all been there, mindlessly scrolling, jumping at phantom notifications, feeling guilty about our screen time. Let's examine your phone habits together and reimagine what healthy digital living looks like.
What do the professionals think
The online world of young people affects us all. Here you can read what four professionals experience in their work every day and how they assist young people in Amsterdam in their call for change.