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. Social media makes it way too easy to compare yourself, and often those comparisons are based on unrealistic images.
I wonder why everyone doesn't just stop using social media. It seems like everyone hates their phones and feels insecure about social media, but because it's addictive and there's a whole industry built around it, people keep using it.
It's totally fine to connect with people through a screen, but for me, the 'we-feeling' disappears because social media reaches so many people. My friends and I use our phones in our own ways to keep things small-scale. For example, we have a shared photo album where we only post photos of ourselves.
Maybe if there was a limit on the number of people you can reach on social media, it would help. If you could only reach 150 people, for example, you'd be much more selective and only choose the people you really enjoy.
Rigmundis
—
19
My relationship with my phone and social media is pretty unhealthy. I've been watching YouTube since I was young, and then Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat came along. I quickly realized that this constant information overload wasn't good for me. I'd start scrolling and suddenly two hours had passed. That's why I deleted TikTok two years ago. It was a good decision.
Despite that, I noticed I was spending more time on Instagram and YouTube. My screen time was way too much; I'd often be on my phone for eight hours a day. Eventually, I deleted Snapchat too. Now I mostly use Instagram to promote my band. YouTube is still tough; it seems like you learn stuff there, but it still sucks up a lot of time.
I've tried different things to reduce my screen time, like using a 'dumb phone.' It was really annoying; you can basically only text. Now I use a middle ground: an Android phone. You can use Spotify on it, but everything else works so poorly that I hardly use it.
I wish they would change the algorithm to make it less addictive. Social media is designed to keep me on my phone for as long as possible, profiting from my attention. Even though we know it’s addictive, it’s hard to resist as long as the algorithm stays the same.
Darryl
—
18
I'm probably on my phone way too much. My screen time is around 10 to 12 hours, mostly on TikTok. I'd really like to become a content creator. I imagine what it would be like to make my own videos about skin care and share my daily life. Social media offers a platform to express my creativity and passion, and I'm really looking forward to taking that step.
I think there are definitely challenges that come with being a content creator. Negative comments can be pretty discouraging, I admit. The idea that you can get a lot of positive feedback but also deal with 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 protect myself.
It would be better if paid promotions were more transparent and if you could filter out haters as much as possible. On YouTube for example, you can clearly see when an item is a paid promotion. They should have that on TikTok too, then people would be less likely to buy things. And if you could remove negative comments sooner, you'd create a healthier online environment for yourself and your followers.
Yron
—
22
Social media polarizes more than it connects. I see the negative impact, like the spread of racist and xenophobic messages. People become divided because their views become more extreme. In my opinion, the digital world plays a big role in that.
In my daily life, I try to bring young people closer to politics. That's why I started making explanatory videos about political issues. The great thing is that it's even helped friends who normally aren't interested in politics to talk about it. So social media can also be a powerful and positive tool.
I would be in favor of stricter regulations to combat racism and hate speech more effectively. Because social media is relatively new, we often feel like it's an unmanaged jungle. That we can't do anything about it, can't change it, can't regulate it. But it's made by people. If you can create something, you can also regulate it.
It's time, in my opinion, to use technology better so that we can engage in respectful and constructive online conversations. Social media should remain a platform for genuine communication and not only a place where conflicts are fueled.
Sirife
—
22
As an Events Management student, I'm 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 now. 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.
It's also a challenge for me to put my phone away because it's such a big part of my life. Recently, I deleted TikTok and I'm trying to be more mindful about using my phone, especially during social interactions. Sometimes 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.
I think it's important to relearn social skills in the offline world. We need to create new moments or rituals where you're not on your phone. Especially when you're with your friends.
I also think there needs to be more awareness among parents about the importance of raising children who are not constantly looking at their phones. By being more mindful of technology, we can truly connect again.
Fay
—
6
I don't have a mobile phone. One of my friends already has one. He plays games on it and can call and text. But I'm not really allowed to look at his phone. I did once send an email on the computer. To the city, asking if we could have small gardens in front of our house. They replied that we would get seeds and that we could plant them. I thought that was really fun. It took a few days before we got a reply from the city, but I didn't mind. Now me, my brother, my father, and my mother all have a garden.
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 world of Amsterdam's young people and their online world. Young people struggle with questions such as: how do you find a healthy balance between the digital and the real world? When does a digital connection become addictive instead of enriching? What does it take to have a healthy relationship with your phone and is that even possible? ATTACHED is a journey between connecting and letting go, and a call for change.
We believe that things can and should be done differently.
We want apps that connect us to people we really know
Instead of being flooded with content from strangers.
We want more control over our online experience
Decide how much time you spend on apps and what content you see.
We want educators to support us better
More awareness about the impact of technology among educators and help for them so that they can guide us better.
We want transparency about algorithms and advertising
How do algorithms work and when do we watch advertising?
We don't want hate and polarization
Platforms must actively combat hate and ensure a positive online environment.
Join us and help create a healthier digital world.
Soon you’ll be able to visit ATTACHED near you and share your ideas on how we can improve the online world.
We'll take your stories and ideas to the European Union, where they help policy makers make better laws. Together, we will show how important a safe and healthy online world is and what it could look 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.