‘How does the web make you feel?’ MediaSnackers asked young people, to discover their emotional response to the web. ‘Naked’ was the reply from one 16-year-old girl. (She didn't have virus protection)
Does the web make you feel... naked?
56% of the 500 13–19 year olds surveyed responded positively (e.g. empowered), 32% of people responded in a neutral way (e.g. connected) and 12% responded negatively (e.g. exposed).
The number one reason teenagers like the web is because of the social aspect. Connecting with others through the web is key to many of Mint’s projects. For example, Sexperience provides a safe place for young people to share their worries and experiences about sex with others. The emotional core of Sexperience was important because, as Anna Richardson (The Sex Education Show Vs Pornography) discovered, teenagers lack knowledge about the risks or emotional effects of sex:
‘What was shocking about the teenagers we talked to, is how much stuff they're doing, without really knowing what any of it means or how to deal with it all.’
Sexperience’s anonymous environment allows young people to ask the questions about sex that they may not feel comfortable asking elsewhere. By taking into account how the web makes people feel, Mint created a helpful and vibrant community that tackles one of the most difficult issues about growing up.