In a world filled with competing social media platforms, how do you determine which one to prioritize? Most experts would argue that there is no definitive approach to this, and I tend to agree.
Young journalists have been asked to share their favorite social media platforms, explaining their preferences and usage. Daria Gorskina and Ulyana Kukhareva are conducted this interview.
Bright & Diverse Celebrating a warm, long-awaited Christmas weekend together
Daria Gorskina: Hi there! On average, a person spends about six and a half hours on social media, which is quite considerable. However, during this magical time of the year, many people set aside their phones to truly enjoy the Christmas holidays. What are you up to during these festive days?
Ivan Valuev: For me, the Christmas holidays represent a wonderful time for relaxation and celebration — something I always look forward to. My family and I usually travel around Belarus during this period. For instance, three years ago, we visited Grodno, explored a museum in an old castle, and wandered through the city center.
Dasha Skvartsova: This weekend, I’m heading home to Zhlobin. I’ve really missed my family and hometown. I plan to spend some quiet time catching up with my parents, savoring delicious home-cooked meals, and maybe taking a stroll around familiar places.
Angelina Voitova: I’m looking forward to a long-awaited weekend in Mogilev! I’ll be spending time with my loved ones. On my agenda: helping my parents, enjoying lengthy conversations over tea, meeting with old friends, and, of course, taking a walk through the winter city. I will be recharging with warmth and home energy.
Margarita Yuzefovich: I plan to spend my Christmas weekend with family. We will decorate our home with lights and set up a Christmas tree adorned with new ornaments. In the evenings, we’ll watch Christmas movies together. I also intend to bake ginger cookies and prepare hot chocolate. One day, we will visit the Christmas market in the city center. I want to dedicate this weekend to joy, warmth, and time spent with loved ones.
Alyona Zaharova: This Christmas weekend, I need to focus on work and my studies. I’m feeling quite sad about having skipped so many classes this semester, and I now have a backlog of assignments. My main goal is to finally finish all my pending essays and prepare for the upcoming exams. I’ll also be working a few shifts at my part-time job for some extra money. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to celebrate much due to my responsibilities, which is a bit disappointing.
Angelina Dontsova: I plan to enjoy a leisurely morning in bed during my big vacation. After that, I’ll go shopping to buy gifts for my family and friends since it’s our family tradition to exchange gifts on New Year’s Eve. At these moments, I always feel festive and filled with anticipation because I absolutely love winter.
Beyond the Screen: Journalism Students’ Digital Habits
Ulyana Kukhareva: Today, we’re not only discussing the Christmas holidays, where children will be spending time relaxing with their families, enjoying movie nights, and decorating their homes, but we’re also addressing an important topic: social media! It’s true that people are constantly engaging with social media platforms, whether for work or simply out of boredom. Which social media platforms do you use the most?
Daria Skvartsova: For me, TikTok serves as a personal way to reset. The short, dynamic videos allow me to shift my focus easily, offering a few minutes of light, enjoyable content.
Ulyana Kukhareva: What do you appreciate most about TikTok compared to other platforms?
Angelina Voitova: Out of all social media platforms, TikTok is undoubtedly my favorite. Unlike other apps that may feel overly polished and perfect, TikTok celebrates authenticity and raw creativity.
Ulyana Kukhareva: How does Telegram differ from other social networks?
Angelina Voitova: What truly sets TikTok apart is its powerful algorithm. Additionally, it serves as a hub for global trends and communities. New dances, challenges, and slang emerge here, connecting people from all over the world through shared jokes and interests.
Daria Gorskina: What role does a digital platform play in your daily life?
Margarita Yuzefovich: In today’s digital age, media platforms are vital for communication, learning, and staying informed. Out of the many options available, Telegram stands out as my favorite due to its user-friendly interface. It supports large group chats and channels, making it perfect for sharing information with a wide audience.
Ulyana Kukhareva: What makes Telegram convenient for you?
Angelina Dontsova: My favorite platform is Telegram. The messenger is ideal for my journalistic activities. It keeps a list of important contacts, including friends and respondents. There’s also a «Favorites» feature that helps me organize necessary study files. Moreover, the numerous free bots available on the platform simplify various routine tasks. Despite some drawbacks, Telegram can replace many websites today and truly make life easier.
Ulyana Kukhareva: What do you appreciate about this social network?
Pavel Keruzel: First and foremost, I appreciate that it is not owned by Meta (the company behind Facebook and WhatsApp), which matters to many people looking for an alternative platform. The app is free from advertisements in private chats and groups, making for a calm and enjoyable experience.
Daria Gorskina: What do you value about this messenger?
Kirill Subbota: This platform offers a user-friendly interface and operates at high speed. I appreciate the anonymity and security it provides. The application is continually updated, adding new features.
Ulyana Kukhareva: Which social platform do you use most often, and why?
Kalina Parfenovich: Pinterest is my favorite social media platform because it feels less like scrolling and more like dreaming. Unlike other apps that prioritize likes and comments, Pinterest serves as a visual playground filled with ideas, inspiration, and creativity. Whether I’m planning a photoshoot, gathering aesthetic references, or organizing mood boards for future projects, Pinterest helps me turn abstract thoughts into tangible visions.
Ulyana Kukhareva: What is your favorite social network, and why do you use it?
Hanna Yakauleva: My favorite social network is Instagram. It has become a vibrant and diverse window into the world for me. I appreciate the opportunity to share moments from my life through photos and stories. Here, I find inspiration, stay updated with trends, and discover new things. Communicating with friends becomes more visual and interesting, transforming ordinary days into little stories. It also serves as a useful tool for work and networking.
Ulyana Kukhareva: Which social networks do you spend your free time on?
Ivan Valuev: I spend my free time on various social media platforms, one of which is YouTube. It’s my favorite platform because it allows me to watch a variety of videos, including reviews of different films. It helps me understand which movies are worth watching and which are not. Taking this opportunity, I would like to recommend watching both parts of «Home Alone» and wish you a Happy New Year.
The Truth Is Our Beat: Defining Our Credo
Ulyana Kukhareva: In the era of digital whirlwind, we switch between dozens of apps every day. Telegram, VK, TikTok, and YouTube — all of them vie for our attention. However, social media has its advantages: they bring people together and forge friendships. The students of the International Journalism Department have truly become a family. How would you develop your own «group credo»?
Kalina Parfenovich: To me, it’s about connection: we use these platforms to reach across borders, seek truth beyond algorithms, and give a voice to diversity.
Kirill Subbota: If you ask me, I would formulate our credo as follows: We utilize online spaces to connect people across borders, seek objective information free from algorithmic biases, and provide a platform for diverse perspectives.
Angelina Voitova: I would like to express my personal life credo: Be yourself.
Hanna Yakauleva: Our group adheres to certain principles that shape our credo. We pay close attention to our studies, our teachers, and to one another. We listen, strive to understand, avoid interruptions, and recognize when someone needs help or support, with social media facilitating this process.
Margarita Yuzefovich: Even when we face challenges or don’t succeed, we always stand together. We may not be friends in the traditional sense, but when difficult moments arise, we become a family.
Alyona Zaharova: We navigate the noise with integrity, craft stories with empathy, and build trust in an age of doubt. The truth is our beat.
Ulyana Kukhareva: After hearing students’ opinions on these three topics, we can conclude that they are all interconnected: thanks to social media, students get to know each other better, support one another during tough times, and solve many problems. Indeed, using social media effectively can sometimes save us rather than destroy us.
Daria Gorskina: In addition, the Christmas holidays spent with family will help them take a break from Telegram, VK, and Instagram. Dear readers, we wish you a wonderful and magical holiday season.
Daria Gorskina, a second-year student specializing in journalism
Ulyana Kukhareva, a second-year student specializing in journalism
Victoria Dantsova, a first-year student, a junior designer
Proofreaders group: Daria Zobnina, a teacher, International Journalism department; Angelina Dontsova, a fourth-year student specializing in international journalism; Ivan Valuev, a fourth-year student specializing in international journalism; subeditor: Margarita Yuzefovich, a fourth-year student specializing in international journalism
The article leaves a pleasant impression with a lively and personal interview format. She successfully combines three themes: holiday plans, digital habits and corporate spirit, which creates a three-dimensional portrait of students. The opinion of the characters about social networks, from TikTok to Telegram, is presented without intrusive assessments, which allows you to form your own opinion. Warm family stories against the backdrop of Christmas add warmth to the text and contrast with the digital theme. The final part about the group’s «creed» logically completes the narrative, emphasizing the value of live communication. The article is easy to read and arouses interest in the characters as individuals. Overall, this is a solid and holistic work that finds a balance between light style and content.
The article was great! It’s a fresh and lively format that brilliantly combines the holiday spirit with professional topics. It was interesting to learn not only about the students’ holiday plans but also about their digital habits—you can really see how social media has become a genuine work tool. The answers felt sincere and diverse, which made the portrait of this generation feel very three-dimensional and authentic. The warm, heartfelt conclusion about taking a break from screens and supporting each other was a particularly fitting way to wrap up the material. A fantastic debut for the new hosts—this column is very promising!
Daria, you’re good! It turned out very interesting. I really enjoyed reading the article, I feel the pleasant vibe of Christmas and New Year. I want to wish you success in the future and happy New Year holidays
A wonderful article! It masterfully weaves together seemingly simple, everyday vignettes into a coherent and highly relevant picture.
You’ve captured the duality of our times perfectly: on the one hand, a longing for the «real world,» for face-to-face interaction, quiet family evenings, and strolls through the winter city (the stories about the holidays were warmly readable). On the other, complete immersion in the digital environment, where every student has already developed their own, meaningful relationships with various platforms: TikTok for relaxation and trends, Telegram for work and study, Pinterest for daydreaming.
The strongest part, in my opinion, is the «credo.» These aren’t high-flown words, but honest, hard-won principles: «Be yourself,» «Truth is our rhythm,» «We become family in difficult times.» This is where it becomes clear how digital tools, when used wisely, can unite rather than divide, helping us «listen and hear» each other.
The article leaves a very bright and thoughtful impression. It reminds us that balance is possible: we can appreciate the warmth of offline life while wisely using the opportunities of online life for creativity, learning, and support. I congratulate the authors on their excellent work, and happy holidays to all readers! May these holidays be filled with both living miracles and kind communication—in any format.
A very interesting and warm article! It’s wonderful to see how journalism students balance their digital lives with the real, human moments that truly matter, especially during the holidays. The piece does a great job of highlighting not just platform preferences, but the thoughtful, ethical mindset behind their use. This balance is crucial for the future of media.
A special note to the new host, Daria Gorskina—well done on your first interview! You skillfully wove together personal holiday stories with professional insights into digital habits, making the conversation both relatable and insightful. Wishing you great success and exciting growth in your journalism career. Keep up the excellent work!
Great article! It skillfully weaves together simple, everyday moments into a coherent and highly relevant picture.
You’ve perfectly captured the duality of our times: a longing for the «real world,» for face-to-face interaction and quiet family evenings, contrasted with complete immersion in the digital environment, where everyone has their own meaningful relationships with different platforms.
The strongest part, in my opinion, is the «credo.» These aren’t lofty phrases, but honest, hard-won principles: «Be yourself,» «Truth is our rhythm.» This is where it becomes clear how digital tools, when used wisely, can unite rather than divide, helping us truly «hear» each other.
The article leaves a bright and thoughtful impression, reminding us that balance is possible: we can cherish the warmth of offline life while wisely using online opportunities for creativity, learning, and support. Excellent work! Happy holidays to all readers—may they be filled with both real-world wonders and kind communication in any format.
In this article I particularly appreciated how the authors not only share their preferences and hobbies but also discuss the role of social media in modern life, including its advantages and disadvantages. The interview structure makes the material dynamic and easy to read. Overall, the article effectively highlights the importance of balancing between the «virtual» and «real» world, especially during festive times.
Welcome to the new presenter! I wish her success, happiness and health, and all the best. I am waiting for new interesting headings from Daria. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
As a designer, I thoroughly enjoyed creating the visual collages for this interview, which was a valuable professional experience. The article is notable for its deep dive into the topic and its unique headlines. Overall, it was an engaging and memorable piece. Thank you for allowing me to collaborate with you!
The article feels like a lively and festive interview. The author successfully combined a warm conversation about the holiday with a serious discussion about social media. I always enjoyed reading the interviewees’ life philosophies, and I’m glad this section remains! I’d especially like to thank the designer for the creative decoration of the article; the images add even more to the atmosphere of the approaching holiday 🎄
This is such a vibrant and insightful piece — a perfect holiday read that feels both festive and genuinely relevant. The dual-interviewer format with Daria and Ulyana worked wonderfully, creating a dynamic and engaging rhythm throughout.
What stood out most were the brilliant contrasts your captured. Juxtaposing the cozy, personal holiday plans — from family trips to Zhlobin to baking ginger cookies — with the analytical discussion on digital habits made both sections feel more meaningful. It highlighted the balance we all seek: connection beyond the screen, especially during the holidays.
The social media section was particularly strong because it went beyond simple preferences. You elicited why each platform matters: TikTok as a creative reset, Telegram as a professional tool, Pinterest as a «visual playground,» and YouTube as a curated guide. This moved the conversation from mere usage to digital literacy and intentionality — a crucial topic for aspiring journalists.
The editing deserves praise, too. Weaving together so many distinct voices into a coherent, flowing narrative is no small feat. The conclusion elegantly linked everything, reminding readers that technology and human connection aren’t opposites, but tools we can use wisely.