Welcome to Week 2 of the Headway Election Challenge!jili no.1
In our conversations with hundreds of teens this year, one topic has come up again and again: the never-ending stream of information coming at us all, especially on social media. A report from Pew Research Center found that a third of teens use apps like YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook almost constantly. Whether it’s in a reel, podcast, post or snap, the information keeps coming.
This week, in collaboration with Chalkbeat, we’re asking teenagers:
How are you processing and sharing all this information about the election?“I feel like social media is such a double-edged sword when it comes to involvement,” said Lavanya Mani, a 17-year-old senior at Clayton High School in St. Louis. Ms. Mani, who is on her school’s speech and debate team, works at the student newspaper, and is crocheting a bright blue laptop case, highlighted a tension central to a teenager’s online experience. “On the one hand, it’s amazing that anyone can produce content and share with the world about their views,” she said, “but it’s also kind of terrible at the same time, because you have people who are making content that’s sensationalized, that’s meant to get likes and angry comments.”
Image
Vaishnavi Kumbala, a 17-year-old high school senior at Haynes Academy in Metairie, La., deals with the unrelenting flow of news and information by seeking more of it.
“One thing I try to do is I don’t just rely on one news outlet or source when I’m getting my information,” she said. “I make sure to read a few different sources. Read opinion pieces to try to get different perspectives on whatever the event or issue is. I can try to kind of form my own opinion.”
“Really understanding something, in a way, is kind of a community dialogue effort,” Ms. Kumbala added. “You may contribute something. Other people may contribute a perspective they have. And I feel like in the end, you end up with a more nuanced perspective.”
Week 2 Headway Election Challenge starts here: Where do you go when you want to find information that you trust?*0 wordsHow do you determine if a source of information is reliable?0 wordsHow much does social media affect your political views?Not at allSlightlyModeratelyVeryExtremelyWhy did you answer that way?0 wordsHow comfortable are you talking about the election with your friends and classmates? Very ComfortableComfortableNeutralUncomfortableVery UncomfortableExplain your answer0 wordsRegardless of how you answered, what would make you feel more comfortable talking about the election?0 wordsIn one word, how would you describe the news and information about elections? What don’t you know about the election that you want to? 0 wordsWhat is your name?*What is your email address?*Where do you live?*Error loading script.What's the name of your school?If you've participated in past Headway Election Challenges, you can skip the questions below.What grade are you in?High school freshmanHigh school sophomoreHigh school juniorHigh school senior College freshmanSomething elseHow old are you?This question asks for personal sensitive information that is protected by privacy laws. Answering is optional.14151617181920 or olderWhat is your gender identity?We are committed to making this project inclusive. This question asks for personal sensitive information that is protected by privacy laws. Answering is optional.What is your race/ethnicity?We are committed to making this project inclusive. This question asks for personal sensitive information that is protected by privacy laws. Answering is optional.I am open to a New York Times journalist contacting me about other reporting projects.By clicking the submit button, you agree that you have read, understand and accept the Reader Submission Terms in relation to all of the content and other information you send to us (“Your Content”). If you do not accept these terms, do not submit any content. Of note:Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.We may use the contact details that you provide to verify your identity and answers to the questionnaire, as well as to contact you for further information on this story and future stories.SubmitWe are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.jili no.1