The Tech Shock Podcast - Mariya Stoilova
In this episode, Vicki and Geraldine are joined by Mariya Stoilova, a London School of Economics researcher who specialises in studying the relationships between children, families, and digital technology.
Discussion begins with mention of digital skills – what these skills are exactly, and how having (or not having) them can impact both the things we encounter online, and our responses to them.
Explaining recent research into digital skills, Mariya believes we can subvert the common narrative that young people – especially those with mental health issues – are passive ‘victims’ of tech and online spaces. This begs the question: just how much do we misunderstand the links between mental health and online life?
On the topic of mental health, Vicki and Geraldine ask whether – in Mariya’s opinion – practitioners are currently equipped enough to grasp and appreciate the true role of digital within young people’s lives. If not, could simple recommendations to ‘spend more time offline’ actually take young people away from sources of support?
And will more parental controls limit the constant game of ‘catch-up’ platforms play when it comes to harmful content? Or, could these controls themselves become harmful long-term by reducing benefits, and entrenching already-existing inequalities?
You can listen to the episode via Plink, Spotify, Apple, or Google.