How This Beijing Teen Keeps Herself Safe Online

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For our latest November issue on the Digital Age, we spoke to so many wonderful parents, teens, and experts that we couldn’t fit everything into the magazine! Here’s a series of special features based on the November articles. First up is our full interview for Beijing student Ava Komons, who was profiled in the “So You Want to Be a KOL” piece that you can read here.

When did you decide you wanted to create content?

I got Instagram when I was 11 or 12, with permission from my parents. From there I just started posting about my life. As I got older, I started refining my content to fit my aesthetic and post things that I share with my friends. I have an account that I post about my life in general (@ava.komons) and then I have an account to post my photography (@avakom_photos). I have lived in six different countries, so I use my Instagram to keep my friends updated on where I travel and what’s going on in my life.

What is your content?

I post photos of my life and pictures that I take on my camera along the way. I also post updates of my soccer career. I am working to become a college athlete and social media is a great way to attract opportunities in sports. I also use my content to spread awareness of political issues and important problems in the world that I think my followers should be aware of.

How did you choose the platform?

Instagram was the most popular platform when I was younger for people my age. I have continued to use it as the main way I keep in touch with my friends around the world.

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What precautions do you take, if any, to protect your privacy?

I have a business account set up on Instagram to protect my account from unsolicited direct messages and I make sure to block and ignore any suspicious accounts from contacting me.

What perimeters, if any, did you set for yourself?

I post what makes me comfortable. I never interact with people who are suspicious or dangerous. I stay away from posting pictures of me or my friends in any less clothing than would be allowed at school. I keep my content friendly for all my followers, young or old. I have not gone through precautions to protect my identity in terms of my name or where I live, but I never post personal information like my address or phone number.

Have you found any bumps along the road and how have you navigated those?

I just try to have fun with my social media. I have made sure to not depend on my happiness on likes or followers. I don’t want to fall down a path that causes me to be dependent on social media to make me feel valid.

What’s the end game for you? Do you want a career doing this? Do you just want to create and have fun? Become an influencer?

I want to have fun with my accounts. I post my photos and my adventures just to share them with the people around me. I don’t think I personally could become an influencer, because of the stress and intensity of the role, but I have a lot of respect for people who create followings that big and can handle the pressure.

Have you made any money creating content and if so, how?

I have not made money creating content. I have instead accepted an ambassador position at IProvideFitness (@iprovidefitness), a fitness training company out of the US which I have worked with. I post [pictures of] me working out with them and wearing their gear, and in return, they send me free clothing and promote me on their site.

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Photos: Unsplash, Ava Komons

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