In today’s edition of “Questions With a Millennial,” we chatted with 17-year-old high school junior Julia Tanenbaum about social media, news consumption, habits among her generation, and more.
What are 5 things you couldn’t live without?
1. My cellphone
2. Books
3. My computer
4. The Internet
5. My dog
How do you typically watch TV? On a set or streaming? Alone or with family or friends?
I usually don’t watch TV on an actual television. I watch it online on sites like Hulu, or I download it and then watch it on my computer. I usually watch it alone, not with my family.
What’s your preferred social network and why?
I usually use Facebook because I like how everyone else is on it. I mostly use it for chatting with people, but I also get a lot of my news from it. However, I really hate how ads for things are showing up in your newsfeed. I don’t care about or want to see a brand’s newest status. 
About how often do you check your cellphone?
I check it every couple minutes if possible. Sometimes I have it off because I forgot to charge it.
What’s the last thing you watched on YouTube?
I think it was a video of my favorite band, the Mountain Goats, performing live.
How do you typically get news, if at all?
I read the news online. I like my news independent, so I usually read progressive sites like Common Dreams or Alternet. I also like a lot of Occupy and other social movement related pages on Facebook and those are another way I get my news.
What brand do you think really understands your generation and why?
I really like Lush cosmetics because all their products are organic, most are vegan, and I know they treat their workers ethically. These are things I, as a socially responsible consumer, care deeply about, and I try not to support brands like Urban Outfitters (I used to shop there) who utilize slave labor to get materials. Most of my friends also care about these things, and we wish other companies would listen.
What’s one trend you’re seeing among your generation?
A trend that is popular at my school is My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, and related stuff. It’s cute, and I guess a lot of other kids think so too.
