Social Media’s Impact on Kids – What’s Next for Tech? By Terri Nakamura

January 28, 2024 / terrinaka / Leave a comment

Keeping kids safe on social media. Photo: Unsplash with Andrej Lišakov

Social Media’s Impact on Kids – What’s Next for Tech?

During my four days at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), I had the opportunity to attend only one panel discussion. I’m grateful that I chose to listen and see this particular one in person.

A lengthy queue of eager attendees had formed, all looking forward to hearing insights from the three distinguished speakers, including Mitch Prinstein from the American Psychological Association (APA), Megan Jones Bell from Google, and Ravi Iyer from the USC Marshall School’s Neely Center. The panel was expertly hosted by Corbin Evans, Senior Director at APA.

While my own children are now adults, I find myself thinking about the impact of electronic devices and the potential repercussions of allowing young children access to social media platforms. This concern has taken on a greater significance since I’ve become a grandparent.

The dynamics of social media engagement are vastly different for adults compared to the experiences of children and teenagers. Most adults, myself included, can navigate platforms like Instagram without getting caught up in the potential negative experiences. My personal journey with social media journey dates back to the early 2000s and I’ve been fortunate to encounter very few negative incidents. This contrast underscores the importance of distinguishing between adult, adolescent and pre-teen use.

In sharing this summary, my hope is that it sparks interest among parents, educators, and all who share concerns regarding the profound influence of social media on our kids. It’s a topic that deserves our collective attention as we seek to safeguard the well-being and development of younger generations.

L-R: Corbin Evans and Mitch Prinstein, APA; Megan Jones Bell, Google; Ravi Iyer, USC Marshall School’s Neely Center. Photo © Terri Nakamura

Mitch Prinstein, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, APA

Mitch Prinstein asked the question, did problems get worse when social media began? He talked about the lack of specific data that correlated between social media and negative effects on mental health including suicide, weight gain or substance abuse. They’re unable to say the current youth mental health crisis has been caused by social media.

When kids are asked, they report a wide array of reasons that affect their mental well-being, such as school shootings, exposure to violence and sexual assault, unrealistic academic pressures, increased polarization, climate change and leadership critique of underrepresented identities. These things exacerbate the current situation, but none are the singular cause of the current mental health crisis.

Image: Mitch Prinstein, APA

It’s important to consider that the adolescent brain isn’t fully cooked, and that teenagers and their developing brains are affected by social media. Even though these platforms were made for adults, kids use them instead, and especially when their brains are changing the most.

During this time when the adolescent brain is changing, the rapidity of change is second only to the changes during the first year of life. The first area of the brain that changes is the part that makes kids roll their eyes, especially at their parents. Prinstein says it’s because of the proliferation of dopamine and oxytocin receptors in an area called the anterior cingulate cortex.

Graphic: Mitch Prinstein, APA

They suddenly become very sensitive to what their peers think, and very interested in avoiding anything that could cause them harm or a social consequence. This is happening around the age of 10, 11, 12 when there is a hyper-charged desire to connect with peers.

Not many years later, we see the full capacity of the pre-frontal cortex, the last area of the brain to develop, which is like the “brain’s breaks,” or the inhibition center that stops people from pursuing every impulse they have.

Between the ages of 10 and 25 is when we see the most social media use. A lot of kids are getting their phones at the time when they’re desiring so much interaction with peers. And they’re unable to stop themselves from the hyper engagement with social media platforms for many years to come.

What Scientists are Asking

Scientists don’t usually ask if social media is all good or all bad. The scientific community is asking a variety of other questions to try to understand the effects of digital media on adolescent development. In what ways is social media benefitting or fostering the development of important competencies or relationships?

What are the ways kids are showing problematic effects of social media use, like addiction? What are the opportunities that kids miss each minute they’re on social media, like sleep and exercise? What ways are kids more susceptible to misinformation?

Graphic: Mitch Prinstein, APA

The APA created a summary of this information in the APA Health Advisory on Social Media and Use in Adolescence: https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use

Graphic: Mitch Prinstein, APA

Overall, when we talk about social media, there are 3 separate aspects.

Content on SM that kids generate, seek out, or things that are presented to them
Specific features of SM, the “like button, the endless scroll, the follower counts — these are things that are new and different and change our social relationships.
The AI piece, which is new and evolving, and we know less about.

Parents wonder how much time their kids should spend on social media. If they’re reading the New York Times and talking with their friends about political issues, maybe 20 hours a day? joked Prinstein.

But if they’re on SM and being directed to content on how to cut themselves and how to keep it from their parents, less than a minute would be too much.

We have to think about ways of building competencies that could help their development.

You can google APA Health Advisory on Social Media and get our entire document so parents, teachers and other can see what science is saying. (again: https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use)

10 Recommendations for Parents, Platforms and Policymakers

Build and encourage use of functions that promote socialization
Tailor platform design, functionality, and permissions to developmental capabilities
Monitor use for early adolescents
Remove content and mininimize exposure to content that promotes illegal or psychologicall maladaptive behavior
Remove content and minimize exposure to content that promotes prejudice, hate or cyberbullying
Routinely screen for signs of problematic use
Limit use that interferes with sleep and physical activity
Limit use that encourages social comparison
Precede use with training teens in social media literacy
Provide resources for continued research on the positive and negative effects of social media on development.

(Excerpted from the graphic below.)

Graphic: Mitch Prinstein, APA

Our recommendations are reflective of a scientific perspective, on how social media can be used to foster healthy and adaptive social milestones, but we need parents to be monitoring social media use. Not looking over their shoulders, but to talk with their kids about what they’re experiencing on social media.

We’re asking tech companies to really think about the adolescent brain and its unique vulnerabilities and capabilities, and to think about making the experiences of an 8 year old on social media different from the experience of an 80 year old on social media. We’re looking at different ways to screen for problematic use, we’re calling for a take down discriminatory and harmful content — content that encourages maladaptive or psychiatrically disordered behavior.

In particular we’re interested in fostering a conversation around social media literacy. We don’t just give kids the keys to a car and wish them luck as they head down the driveway. We make sure they know how to operate a car in a way that would be safe for themselves and others. With social media, there are no tests to demonstrate that they have the competency to understand fake profiles, mis- and disinformation, how to combat cyber-hate and how to engage in adaptive ways of solving interpersonal conflict. This is based on psychological science. Psychologists have developed interventions to teach kids these skills effectively, so we have those tools. It’s time to bring them to scale.

https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-parent-tips

https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-literacy-teens

Parents can do so much in this space. There is no psychological science that shows kids are harmed by NOT being on social media. We can stop social media use after 9 PM, use parental controls, and build social media competency.

Prinstein suggested that social media should not be allowed during class time, and that schools/teachers should be teaching kids how to use social media safely, and that educators should be teaching kids about the online world. (My note: I’m not an educator, but I have an issue with integrating social media into schools. I see teachers as being burdened with integrating societal changes, which has had a significant impact on their work, and I doubt that educators have the capacity to handle “one more thing.”)

We need to get lawmakers to make sure that kids and their data are protected and we’re not sacrificing their development to help others make a profit.

And we need the tech industry to think of ways that they can put child safety over the model of increased and constant engagement. There are ways this can be accomplished, and that’s what we hope for.

Megan Jones Bell, PsyD, Clinical Director, Consumer and Mental Health, Google

Megan Jones Bell leads consumer and mental health across Google. She shared an overview of how Google approaches the objective of keeping kids and their mental health in the spotlight, highlighting their work on YouTube.

Google is all about creating online experiences that empower kids. Its goal is to provide enriching, safe, and age-appropriate online spaces that respect children’s unique needs while giving families control over technology. Jones Bell said Google builds these experiences with safety in mind from the start, and she shared some recent work done on YouTube, although the efforts extend across Google products.

Jones Bell focused on recent work they’ve done on YouTube. Kids’ mental health, which requires special protection online. They’ve developed 5 Youth Principles that form the core of the work that Google does to create a safer and more enriching environment.

Image: Megan Jones Bell, Google. (Excerpt from graphic, below)

Kids’ mental health requires special protection online
Parents and caregivers should have a say in how technology is used within their families.
Every child deserves access to high-quality, age-appropriate content that suits their interests and needs.
Developmental needs of children differ from teenagers’, so tech should reflect that.
With the proper safeguards, kids can benefit from and use innovative technologies.

Google has already introduced features like “take a break” and bedtime reminders in many Google products, but they’re enhancing them to be more effective by creating moments for pause and reflection.

Image: Megan Jones Bell, Google

One thing they’re about to roll out is an all-screen takeover (third panel). These will be more disruptive and create more moment to pause which we know is more likely to get someone to disengage.

They’re also changing the way they recommend content by focusing on limiting repeated suggestions of videos that might promote unhealthy social comparisons or social aggression among young viewers. They’ve been eliminated from the “watch next” algorithm on YouTube.

Image: Megan Jones Bell, Google

Google wants to ensure that the content they suggest is safe and positive. To support users during difficult moments, they’ve updated their crisis resource panel to encourage safer searches and offer crisis resources more prominently. (It was a small blue bar in its earlier iteration, but the new “pause” page on the right, is a full-screen takeover.) This way, people are more likely to find help when needed.

We know from our research that slowing people down in moments of crisis will lead to disengage from problematic search.

Image: Megan Jones Bell, Google

In terms of promoting high-quality health information, they’re working to elevate high-quality mental health content for young teens by collaborating with experts at the National Academy of Medicine and organizations like the World Health Organization. They’ve also partnered with Common Sense Networks to provide training and resources for creators, helping them make responsible and helpful content and promote digital well-being. These are just some steps they’re taking to create a safer and more enriching online environment for kids and teens.

Image: Megan Jones Bell, Google

Ravi Iyer, Managing Director of the USC Marshall School’s Neely Center

Ravi Iyer was present to discuss how we can design social media to have a positive impact on mental health. While social media isn’t solely responsible for mental health issues, there are ways to make it better for those who are affected negatively. Here are two key takeaways:

Platform Accountability: We should hold social media platforms accountable for their design choices, not just the content they host. Creating spaces that discourage harmful activities and incentivize positive ones is essential.

User Experience Surveys: We can use surveys to gauge user experiences and validate whether platforms improve their design. By listening to users’ concerns and feedback, we can ensure that the changes implemented align with their needs.

During his time at Facebook, he realized that existing policies didn’t cover some harmful behaviors, such as fear speech and subtle misinformation. They focused on design changes to address this, like removing engagement incentives that encouraged negative interactions. They also introduced rate and functionality limits to prevent a small group of users from dominating discussions.

These ideas have been compiled into a design code for social media. It acts similarly to building codes. While preventing every bad thing from happening online is impossible, we can hold platforms responsible if their design choices promote harmful behavior. By doing so, we aim to empower users to engage with content that aligns with their aspirations rather than just what grabs their attention.

Says, Iyer, “We’ve started measuring user experiences by asking people about positive and negative encounters on social media platforms. This helps us understand which platforms are improving and where improvements are needed. For instance, LinkedIn stands out for having fewer negative experiences and fostering a more positive environment.”

In the world of AI, we’re also keeping an eye on user experiences to catch potential harms early as AI adoption grows.

In summary, we can create a healthier online environment by holding platforms accountable for their design choices and continually measuring user experiences to ensure progress.

Postscript

CES, one of the largest global tech events in the world, offers thousands of compelling reasons to be make the pilgrimage.

Among the foremost is the chance to be present for groundbreaking product launches. It’s a place where B2B deals and investments are made. It’s a chance to witness the debut of inventions and feel the sensation of the future unfolding before your eyes. You can not only observe but actively interact with innovations. The experience far exceeds articles on the Internet, or mere observation.

We have access to the stories and inspirations behind new technology that exemplify how visionary founders and engineers were driven to bring their dreams to fruition. We can hear from the inventors first-hand and feel the passion fueling their journeys.

In addition to introducing new technology and innovations, CES is a knowledge hub where industry luminaries deliver breaking news at press conferences, and lead thought-provoking panel discussions. These sessions provide an invaluable opportunity to glean insights into the ever-changing landscape of our world. The perspectives are the most up-to-date and feature the best practices across various sectors.

The “Social Media’s Impact on Kids” session featured a stellar panel of speakers. They offered rare glimpses into the behind-the-scenes initiatives driving research and policy, bringing changes to the forefront. It was a journey into understanding the relationship between education, research, and technology, showing how these forces combine to safeguard our children and families.

I did my best to accurately represent the concepts shared by the panel. Any omissions while conveying their thoughts, were unintentional.

In closing, thank you for your interest in this post. CES is the convergence of innovation, knowledge, and potential in technology. It’s a realm where the future is not a distant idea but a tangible reality waiting for us to explore. It was my privilege to take part.

Additional Information:

There are countless resources to support consumers who seek information on social media and its effect on children and adolescents. Here are a a few links to articles related to this post.

Social Media Literacy:

https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-parent-tips

https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/social-media-literacy-teens

Global principles for identifying credible sources of health information on social media:
https://www.who.int/teams/digital-health-and-innovation/digital-channels/global-principles-for-identifying-credible-sources-of-health-information-on-social-media

Health advisory on social media use in adolescence

https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use

Neely Center Design Code for Social Media

Neely.USC.edu/Design-Code

Leveraging Google’s Technology to Improve Mental Health
https://researchblog.duke.edu/category/responsible-conduct/

Common Sense – Prepare Your Students for Success in a Connected World

https://www.commonsense.org/education

More about Terri

Her book: Blogging on Instagram
Her store on Alki Beach: Alki Surf Shop
Her business: Terri Nakamura Design+Social
Terri Nakamura on Twitter
Alki Surf Shop on Twitter
The Horsfall House on AirBNB
Terri Nakamura on Linktree

Alki Surf Shop Turns 4!

June 29, 2018June 30, 2018 / terrinaka / 7 Comments

Next month will mark the four-year anniversary of a small journey my husband, David Horsfall, and I started in 2014. Alki Surf Shop began as an online store that became a brick and mortar reality once we were able to locate retail space on Alki (pronounced ALK-eye) Beach. Retail spaces are rare, and it was through a chance conversation that we learned of an imminent storefront space opening up. Tucked around the corner from Homefront, the most popular ice cream store on the beach, it’s not the easiest place to find, but people find us, and somehow we’ve become a destination of sorts. We’ve cultivated a loyal base of customers—many of whom have become our friends. Our fans and supporters want us to succeed, and they bring in friends and family whenever they have visitors, from everywhere.

It’s been an amazing learning experience, and I can say with certainty we are doing most everything more intelligently than when we started (there is always room for improvement, though). Along the way we have met thousands of people from all around the world and have 4 volumes of guest books to prove it. Packed on every page are drawings, messages of goodwill, and touching expressions of friendship spanning every continent and country, often written in the language of the visitor.

In the store’s nascency, I brought in a Nokia* tablet to use, but eventually we needed full-powered computer and replaced the tablet with a 21’ iMac. Our music continues to be piped out onto the sidewalk with a UE Boom* that it has been in use nearly every day for the past 3 and a half years and is still going strong! We have a WeMo* camera for security, and our Verizon service has even rescued us when our credit card terminal service was down by enabling us to use Square to process transactions. This is all to say, for a very low tech-looking, laid-back beach store, we depend on technology to keep the wheels turning each day.

It’s gratifying that beside that fact that we offer a valuable service, our business provides so much joy to our visitors. Most people enjoy the friendly vibe where we take time to learn where people are from and what brings them to Alki. Each day we have customers hug us as they’re leaving. How many businesses can say that? And many exchange a conspiratorial wink with us when they introduce new people to our store. They whisper, “Are you going to do the ‘horn,’” which is actually the blowing of a conch shell and shouting of “mahalo” as customers depart.

We’re in the midst of our busy summer season and look forward to some fun upcoming 2018 events:

Seafair Pirates land on Alki Beach — July 7
Alki Pride Day — July 21 (Alki Surf Shop is a sponsor!)
SubPop Records Celebrates its 30th Anniversary on Alki Beach August 11

Beside the special events above, on an everyday basis there are things happening — Saturday salsa dancing, volleyball tournaments, beach parties at the fire pits, paddle boarding, bicycle rentals, and happy people everywhere.

Looking out at the view from our store and seeing the Olympic mountains and Puget Sound, we are reminded that life is better on a beach.

© Terri Nakamura Storm on Alki 20151124_160619-01 2

© Terri Nakamura Linda Freeman 20150906_150019 2

©Terri Nakamura Masa Kobayashi 20151002_134715 2

© Terri Nakamura Barb and Terri 20151024_154001 2

© Terri Nakamura David, Paul, Bruce, Bill 20151112_131630 2

©Terri Nakamura Mike, Terri, Felice 20151022_135940 2

We’re grateful to our real-life and social media friends from Twitter and IG who have visited Alki Surf Shop. If you’ve visited the store please let me know so I can add your moniker here!

@queenhorsfall @jackandpele @muz4now @lorimcneeartist @jenniferannegood @nixkuroi @felicelam @blueweed_songs @becauseuarehere @savvyangie @kurt.nac @Joe996s @sheelala @lemness @wasian206 @dougplummer @michipeterson @lindacriddle @kennapete @lindafreeman_ @jshuey @thidekow @ryankanemagic @vickiehorsfall @freshprinceofmi @crimsonlotustea @x2tap @jrome2032 @hollymariephotos @slydehandboards @feliciakayne @artistpoint @mikedadams206 @horsfallscott @georgesta3000 @PutBarber @lupdesign @lindabrill

More about Terri:

Visit her store Alki Surf Shop
Terri Nakamura Design
Terri Nakamura on Twitter
Alki Surf Shop on Twitter
The Horsfall House on AirBNB
More by Terri Nakamura

*Verizon generously provided us with technology used at our store.

#140conf #LA

July 31, 2016August 10, 2016 / terrinaka / 5 Comments

Eight years ago I entered a bright and shiny world called Twitter.

In 2010, I compared Twitter to a cocktail party, and I think the comparison still stands. Lots of people weave in and out of short conversations and content, with comments sometimes ricocheting like Pokéballs. About 47 of the 313 million active users “tweet” via smart phones, so Twitter’s 140 character limit makes it doable. Chatting in 140 character tweets isn’t the easiest way to carry on an extended conversation. Still, meaningful relationships can form, and when you discover a kindred spirit, it’s great!

Today I think the average person joins Twitter and feels lost. It’s not obvious what to do once you get there. I found the game changer is engaging in conversations. Once you start chatting with people, the clouds part and the Twitterverse opens up. You can pose a question and get immediate answers, and almost always find interesting people for banter or discussions. And there is an endless bounty of content to consume 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Jeff Pulver, founder of the #140 Conference, created and produced the first #140 Brands Conference in New York City on Dec. 2, 2010. As a graphic designer who works with businesses and branding, and being a social media aficionado, I was excited to learn how brands were navigating the social media sphere. It featured dozens of speakers and panels on myriad topics.

The opportunity to meet virtual friends face-to-face was fabulous! I’ll never forget the snow along the sidewalks as I walked from the subway to the venue, and the thrill of meeting for the first time, Debra Cincioni, Lori Moreno and Jessica Northey , fellow Bitrebels — Twitter #BA75 sisters.

L-R: Jessica Northey, Debra Cincioni, me, Tommy Geraci and Sueanne Shirzay, Dec. 2010, NYC

Past #140 Conference events have featured a series of 10-15 minute presentations and 10-20 minute panels that have provided attendees with knowledge, perspective and insights into the theme of the conference. The format has been fast-paced, so if there is something you’re not too interested in, it quickly moves on to the next topic.

The SOCIAL part of social media is super special. And for first-timers, the opportunity to meet many Twitter friends in one place, in real life, is undeniably exciting.

But the educational part is equally special. The #140 Conference provides access to some of the most knowledgable people in a variety of sectors, representing a huge depth of expertise.

Fast forward to July 25 in Los Angeles

I had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and for the first time, meet Marsha Collier, Michele Meiche, Henie Riesinger and many others. I can only describe the moments of our meetings as pure joy!

L-R: Michele Meiche, me, Marsha Collier, Julie Spira

L-R: Calvin Lee and me

Over the past two months, Michele and I have been chatting on Twitter about our fond feelings for the #140 conferences. We weren’t just waxing nostalgia, although being in that place at that particular time in history was very special. Twitter has evolved and now there are many more people, and the way people and brands use Twitter (and social media in general) has changed. There is always more to learn, even for long-time users, so we concluded there is definitely a need — and isn’t it time — for another #140 conference?

At the LA event, I was hoping to talk with Jeff to see if I could convince him to organize another #140 conference. I had no idea he was aware of the conversations between me and Michele. So it was a surprise when, midway through the event, Jeff made the announcement that indeed, another #140 Conference is underway and slated to occur in Los Angeles this November. I was thrilled!

Anyone interested in Twitter, and social media in general, would benefit from attending. And some of us could find ourselves falling in love with Twitter all over again. I’m looking forward to learning what’s new, and I’m especially looking forward to meeting many new as well as long-time friends.

Earlier I mentioned how great it feels when you discover a kindred spirit on Twitter. Getting to physically meet your kindred spirit and hug them in real life is THE BEST!

Jeff invites interested sponsors to participate, and extends an invitation to all to attend.

Details to come! See you there!

A crowd gathered around Jeff Pulver as he announced the coming #140 Conference.

The quality of the photos of the #14oconfLA gathering, shot in very low light with my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S7, impressed everyone.

And trust me when I say it’s not easy to impress a group of social media mavens!

I’m proud to participate as a member of Verizon’s social media team. My posts are about my own personal experiences. No compensation is provided, nor are favorable comments promised. All opinions are my own.

More about Terri:

Visit her store Alki Surf Shop
Terri Nakamura on Twitter
Alki Surf Shop on Twitter
The Horsfall House on AirBNB
More by Terri Nakamura

Daze of Our Lives

June 29, 2016 / terrinaka / 12 Comments

Am I Living in a Seinfeld Episode?

There Will Be Light

Two days last week, I worked at Alki Surf Shop while my husband, David, zipped over to Randle, WA, to do some work on our AirBNB house.

Shortly after I opened the store, a woman I didn’t know walked in and said, “I’m not stalking you, but you left your BMW lights on.” It turned out I’d parked in front of her house. She is also an aficionado of vintage BMWs, and didn’t want me to return to find my car with a dead battery. The woman’s name was Megan, and I discovered we both own businesses on Alki Beach.

I locked up the store and walked with Megan back to my car, opened the door and started the engine without a problem. She waved goodbye, I locked up my car and headed back to the shop.

Fast forward to the end of the day…

I walk back to my car and see the lights were still ON! OMG. Earlier, when I checked and saw my battery was in good shape, I forgot to turn off the lights!

But, to my delight, the engine started right up!

Sheesh. Old people. ¶

My classic 1976 BMW 2002 is now 40 years old!

Chewing the Digital Fat at Alki Surf Shop

Our visitors are both local and from around the world. Later that day, Jim and Suzanne Skerjanc from Bellingham dropped in, and somehow, we started talking about cell phone service.

Jim and Suzanne told me about their spotty AT&T service, and how they recently switched to Verizon. And yes, this was a spontaneous conversation!

Suzanne said, “We were with AT&T, and just didn’t get a signal anywhere. I mean, at my work there was like zero signal. I had to go outside and it was still sketchy. Jim’s a realtor, so he’s all over the place—and, I mean, he HAS to have a signal.”

Jim and Suzanne Skerjanc, happy Verizon customers

Jim told me he would be driving down a main road, and bam—his calls would drop. He noticed the bars would go to zero, then a half mile down the road, they would come back. And it happened all over the county.

When they switched to Verizon, it was completely different. They now have cell phone service everywhere they go.

“We have full service now. It’s like being in the middle of Seattle,” Jim told me. “Since we switched to Verizon, we have great, reliable coverage all the time.”

Hearing about their experiences made me proud of my connection to Verizon as a brand influencer. Maybe #BetterMatters, but in their case, #BetterWins! ¶

AirBNB AirHEADS

By a huge percentage, the guests at our home on AirBNB are nice and responsible people. It’s interesting to see how different age groups behave almost stereotypically. “Grownups” treat our house as their own, and leave things in great shape. Millennials, on the other hand, generally seem to have a different idea of what it means to leave a place neat and tidy, or to treat our home with care.

When we first listed our house, my friend, Reg Saddler said, “Well, you know what people do with AirBNB houses, don’t you?” (And being a newbie, I said, “No!?”) He went on, “Terri, people make pornos in them!”—which kind of freaked me out!

Last year we hosted a boudoir photographer, whom we found to be a respected commercial photographer, and totally legit. Nothing too crazy has happened so far.

Generally, when we hand over the keys, we meet our guests face-to-face, and I believe the personal connection helps ensure a positive experience on both sides. That is, most of the time.

Recently we had a group of guys make a reservation for a bachelor’s weekend. The person who booked the house specifically said to me, “We will be clean and respectful.”

Beside filling huge garbage bags with empty booze and beer bottles, and then ruining and tossing five of our plush, hotel-grade towels into the trash without a word, this group burned through all of our firewood. And they also burned a batch of stripped maple saplings that David was seasoning to make into furniture.

Long pieces of beautiful wood leaning against the wall opposite the wall of split firewood would appear different to sensible people, but they were clueless. I could only think: “Morons.”

Not the actual doll. The real one wasn’t this nice.

And to top it off, they also deposited a blow-up sex doll in with the rest of their trash. I mean, WHO DOES THAT? EWWWWW!

If we’d known the fiancee, I would’ve been tempted to tell her, “RUN, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!” ¶

MISSION: Litter-ally Accomplished

Some of you might remember my last new year’s eve and day were crazy. A small part of it had to do with a postcard offering a trial box of OKO cat litter from the Mud Bay Pet Store.

We regularly receive OKO postcards and I usually recycle them. But recently, one arrived, and I decided to give it another shot. So I tossed it into my briefcase in the event I was near Mud Bay in the Capitol Hill neighborhood

A typical cross walk on Capitol Hill, Seattle

Last Sunday I was near Mud Bay AND I had the postcard with me! So in a deja vu moment, I pulled into the gas station next door to the pet store, walked in, and bought something, then asked if I could leave my car in their lot while I shopped at Mud Bay.

And once again, Mud Bay didn’t have the trial size of OKO cat litter available.

I asked, “Do you guys EVER have the trial size of this product?”

They said, “No.”

Apparently the manufacturer makes no effort to ensure their retail outlets carry the items they’re promoting.

To put an end to my quest, I bought a large size of litter because we were running low. And to my surprise, Mud Bay offered to subtract the value of the trial size. So the box ended up costing only a few dollars

Ice, the teddy-bear hamster, captured on a Canary home security camera.

I felt guilty spending only three dollars on a large box of litter, so I also bought an interactive cat toy and some hamster treats for our son’s and daughter-in-law’s pet teddy bear hamster.

OKO cat litter is odd. It’s made from paper and sort of tubular in shape. I liked the concept, but it’s difficult to sift. Our Maine Coon, Hunter, is going along with it, but our silver tabby, Grey, is avoiding it. It was good to be able to try it. Now I know. ¶

Grownup Kids are FUN!

Last week, our oldest son Andrew, and daughter-in-law Diana drove to Seattle from Monterey, CA. Since they were supposed to arrive Sunday night, our family decided to delay celebrating Father’s Day until Monday, so everyone could be here.

But on Sunday afternoon I received a phone call from Andrew saying he and Diana would arrive in Seattle in time for Father’s Day dinner!

I love our oldest son, Andrew. He’s such an amazing kid! He also has a knack for creating minor chaos 🙂

© terri-nakamura-Andrew-and-Diana-June-2016

Andrew and Diana — weary travelers

Hearing his updated ETA, I needed to make sure our youngest son, Charley and his girlfriend, Sheela, were going to be available in a few hours, then cleared it all with David. When it looked like we were all on the same page, I switched into high gear, trying to figure out how we could get a dinner reservation on such short notice. So I called Marée Bistro, a neighboring business on Alki Beach.

Remember Megan, the woman who told me I left my lights on? Well, Marée belongs to Megan and her husband, Andy. They said they’d be happy to save us a table, which was great!

After we closed Alki Surf Shop, our group walked a few blocks to Marée and enjoyed some amazing dinners.

© frisee-salad-maree-bistro-alki-seattle

Frisée salad with house-cured lardon, garlic croutons and soft-cooked egg

We ordered lots of different entrees, including a Galantine de poulet (like a free range chicken roulade), wild boar (tender and delicious!), hangar steak, a savory tart, steak frites; plus some yummy sides including a frisée salad and a tasty assortment of charcuterie.

It was a fun and festive meal and wonderful on every level. After dinner, we walked out, and were greeted by an incredible crimson sunset. It was the perfect end to a great weekend.

All of which started with Megan telling me I’d left my lights on. ¶

© terri-nakamura-alki-sunset-fathers-day-2016

The sunset as we exited Marée Bistro, Father’s Day 2016

The hamster photo was captured by Diana Horsfall, using the Canary home security system, courtesy of Verizon. The doll photo was sourced on Pixabay. Other photos in this post were shot by me, using the fabulous camera on the Samsung Galaxy 7, courtesy of Verizon Wireless.

More about Terri:

Visit her store Alki Surf Shop
Terri Nakamura on Twitter
Alki Surf Shop on Twitter
The Horsfall House on AirBNB
More by Terri Nakamura

Streams of Consciousness

March 31, 2015April 5, 2015 / terrinakamura / 21 Comments

This image was found, unattributed, on an Instagram feed. The original photographer is Magdalena Wasiczek. http://www.popphoto.com/photos/2013/09/behind-photos-magda-wasiczeks-surreal-floralscapes

This image was found, unattributed, on an Instagram feed. It had 223 likes at the moment I took this screen shot. The original photographer is Magdalena Wasiczek. http://www.popphoto.com/photos/2013/09/behind-photos-magda-wasiczeks-surreal-floralscapes

Or, How Instagram morphed into a Tumblr blog

When I first started using Instagram four years ago, it was a cool photo-sharing site where anyone with an iPhone could apply filters to make an average photo look awesome.

As with most social media channels and applications, people discover inventive uses and loopholes to exploit sites and apps in ways that might not have been originally anticipated.

Such is the case on Instagram.

Instead of viewing original photography, I’m seeing a large volume of plagiarized photos or reposted images designed to increase the popularity (likes) of a given user’s stream. Inspirational quotes, as well as cartoons and memes also take up a lot of space. In my view, non-original photographic content has proliferated like milfoil, much like random sharing on Tumblr.

I wondered if my observations were unique, so as a reality check, I asked several of my favorite friends on Instagram what they thought.

The vast majority of those I asked felt it was wrong to share photos without at least acknowledging the original photographer. People with streams full of this type of content are open plagiarists, and continue the practice because Instagram doesn’t care.

An exception would be feeds that are dedicated to “featuring” a photograph and attributing the user who created that content. Some of these feeds are well moderated and only share and attribute original content from users who tag their work with the feed’s dedicated tag (granting permission to repost the work).

On the other hand, is there any point in being overly concerned by the sharing of non-image or appropriated content? After all, Instagram as a place for people to share things they feel will be of interest to others, and as long as the content is allowed by Instagram, is it really a problem?

It’s a problem when you have a friend on Twitter and follow their IG feed, only to find things you don’t want to see. As far as I know, there is not a lot of choice except to unfollow.

Currently, there is no way to “mute” users or content you don’t wish to view. So the only thing one can do is to unfollow accounts where the content doesn’t interest you. It can be awkward because some people become upset when they are unfollowed. Some even feel they must unfollow you as “payback.”

To that I say, “Oh, well!”

To my knowledge, searching via hashtag is one way to see a topic, but there isn’t a way to list people whose images you really want to see. If there is an app out there to do that, please tell me!

How do you use Instagram?

Would you like to see a a list feature to help filter what you see?

I’d love to to have you share your thoughts.

The friends who provided information to help me write this post include: Jack Higgins (JackandPele), Reg Saddler (zaibatsu), Cheryl Senter (CherylSenter) and Darren Sproat (DarrenGSproat). My thanks to them for their friendship and support.

Jack Higgins marches to the beat of a different drummer. Former advertising creative director and writer, Jack has found a new way to use Instagram. For a while, I didn’t understand his cryptic images, until I looked at his page and saw the puzzles, solved. They form mosaics! I should note, everything Jack does is thru the thought control of an evil dog named @tipytomita!

Reg Saddler is an amateur photographer and social media guru, listed on the Forbes list of top people on social media and too many other lists to name. He understands the hows and whys.

Cheryl Senter is a professional photographer working in New England. I had the pleasure of meeting her here when she visited Seattle two years ago. Her Instagram feed focuses on her amazing dog.

Darren Sproat is a Canadian photographer known for his landscapes. He has been featured on the Nokia blog and cultivated a fan base (including me!)—all in awe of his images.

Thanks to Verizon for the Galaxy Note 4 used for many of the images posted on my own instagram feed: https://instagram.com/terrinakamura/

#MoreNorCal with Verizon in San Francisco

June 2, 2014 / terrinaka / 19 Comments

The inspiring view of the San Francisco Bay Bridge with Cupid’s Bow by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen in the foreground.

Last week I had an amazing opportunity to spend three days in San Francisco as part of a 30-member group invited to attend the Verizon Brand Influencer’s Summit. The weather was beautiful and we all stayed in the Hyatt on Embarcadero, so it was a bit like an adult-geek summer camp!

What is a brand influencer?

Brand influencers are people who engage audiences on behalf of a company, product or service. From my standpoint, my personal reputation is at stake, so whatever I say or do in regard to Verizon can be counted upon to be authentically my personal opinion.

I’ve been a Verizon customer for more than a decade, so I’m a long-time consumer and supporter of the company. People have asked (and assumed) I receive payment for my tweets, posts and tagged content, but Verizon doesn’t pay me anything. I’ve received phones and tech gadgets, and have never been given ultimatums such as, “You must write about this product and endorse it.” Ethically, I won’t say something good unless it is.

What happened at the summit?

So many great things happened during the summit. From the moment my first Uber driver picked me up at the Oakland airport and dropped me off at the Hyatt, I knew I was in store for something very special. Meeting many long-time virtual friends from social media was truly exciting. Having experts from Verizon, Microsoft and Nokia introduce to us new technology was mind bending. And learning about Verizon’s exemplary global citizenship initiatives made me feel proud. In case you aren’t aware, The Verizon Foundation focuses on energy management, education and health care. You can learn more about them by checking out this link: http://www.verizonfoundation.org. I was truly inspired and impressed by their work.

We also were allowed to tour Verizon’s “Solutions Zone,” where new products as well as products still in development were on display. It was a rare opportunity to explore Verizon’s inner sanctum, and especially to access technology that is not yet released to market. Cameras, networking equipment, robots and even a soft-drink refrigerator with an illuminated, transparent, animated glass door. The Verizon Solutions Zone is a tech wonderland.

Five favorite Verizon moments

1.
Meeting Monica Villa, Sara Hawkins and Ann Tran. I’ve been wanting to meet Ann for years, and found her to be a lovely person. She’s pretty, petite, and fun. Monica is VZWBuzz’s fearless leader. She makes everything happen, and is fun, smart and kindsome of my favorite qualities. Sara and I became acquainted through Twitter and Instagram. She’s as warm and genuine as I knew she would be!

There were six #BA75 (www.bitrebels.com/social/twitters-top-75-badass-women/) sisters in attendance. Beside Ann, Sara and me, there was Joyce Cherrier, Misty Belardo and Gina Stark. It rocked!

#BA75 women in attendance included L-R: Terri Nakamura, Misty Belardo, Joyce Cherrier, Ann Tran, Gina Stark and Sara Hawkins

2.
Our first dinner together at La Mar was delicious and fun. La Mer is a popular Peruvian seafood restaurant, beautifully situated overlooking San Francisco’s waterfront. Before dinner, we had a chance to mingle and introduce ourselves. Gina Stark and Chris Rauschnot were to my right and left during dinner. Each course was more amazing than the one before it.

3.
The first full day at the Verizon Innovation Center was exciting. The space is modern and inviting and the event was perfectly organized, complete with a full agenda, name placards, microphones, and plenty of great food and drink

Receiving a new Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet along with a KILLER case with built-in keyboard was a mind-blowing. I’m writing this blog post with it, as it comes loaded with the Office suite, including WORD! Beside a full keyboard, the case also has a built-in track pad. Compact and light, it’s a beautifully designed piece of technology, functioning very much the same as a laptop. Another bonus: a Nokia wireless charging plate for our Lumia Icons. It is absolutely fantastic!

4.
The second day, just when we thought it couldn’t get better, Verizon gave us an “Up24” and “ERA” by Jawbone, and the Roadster 2 in-car Bluetooth speaker. I returned to Seattle with a bulging suitcase to a boatload of work, so some of the gadgets haven’t yet been used. But let me say I’ve really looking forward to trying them!

5.
At the end of the second day, the group scattered. But I enjoyed some great hang time with Gina Stark in the Hyatt lobby, where we were later joined by Ann Tran, Chris Fleury and Calvin Lee. A terrific cap to this superb experience was being able to see my college roommate, Barbara Lloyd, who was able to rearrange her schedule so she could visit for an hour. Seeing her was the icing on my favorite red velvet cake!

The Verizon Influencers Summit was a rare opportunity to view Verizon from the inside. I don’t imagine most people know how hard they work to integrate meaningful technology into the lives of their customers, employees, and the world at large. Learning about their public service initiatives painted a picture of how we wish all companies would behave. The gathering gifted us with the opportunity to solidify long-time connections and forge new ones. When the second Uber driver picked me up and we drove across the new Bay Bridge, I looked back at a very special experience. Thank you, Monica, for making it happen.

Visual scrapbook

Checked my flight at Seattle Tacoma International Airport

The plane was packed! I was so lucky because a woman I was chatting with had priority boarding (I was in the last group). She saved me a seat in the third row!