Ashika: “I don’t read magazines – they are expensive”

MediaTel Group hosted its first ever Youth, Media & Technology event in association with Channel 4 yesterday. The first (teenage) panel unveiled some interesting insights about how young people engage with and consume media. There were lots of questions from the floor in what was a lively debate around technology, brands and advertising. Here is a snapshot of what was said…

Meet Ashika

She is nearly 16 and in her second GCSE year. She lives just outside of Ipswich and goes to a mixed school…

“I don’t read magazines – they are expensive.”

“Everyone is so excited about having a Blackberry but BBM is the same as texting – apart from the group chat.”

“I check Facebook when I wake up, during the day, while watching TV, when I am bored. It is always on in the background.”

“I get my news from [BBC] Radio One or Kiss 100 – they have hourly news updates. I am always annoyed that the music has stopped but I do listen.”

“I feel left out if I forget to check Facebook… my friends update constantly. It’s kinda sad but I use it for gossip.”

“I like online viewing – you don’t have to sit through long ad breaks.”

“TV and cinema ads are good because you are already watching and paying attention.”

“I check Facebook on my phone so I rarely see ads.”

“Online shopping is good for seeing new fashions and trends – and I instantly know when the sales are on. It is easier to shop online – you don’t have to queue up.”

“I wouldn’t give up my phone or TV.”

“There are lots of websites for free music but I don’t do it cos it messes up your laptop.”

“I watch a lot of TV… iPlayer is useful because I don’t have Sky. There are certain programmess that I will always try to watch live – 90210 and Gossip girl. But I will catch up if I miss them.”