Jim Liebelt's Youth Culture Watch

Where's Your Kid?

I was doing my regular news surfing this morning and came across a new iPhone application, iCurfew, that boasts a simple interface, allowing kids to check in with their parents via email, sending Mom or Dad an un-editable link that maps their precise location.

The app utilizes the iPhone's GPS capabilities to generate a link with precise coordinates - and when parents receive the email, they click on the link and a map is displayed with the location of the phone.

A positive aspect of this application is that it doesn't spy on the kid and generate the email automatically, but rather depends on the kid to identify their location (which generates the link) and then send the email.

My mind immediately wanders over to some lousy ways this application could be used by parents which could damage trust between them and their kids.

Also, I'm thinking that because many kids today are extremely tech saavy, if using iCurfew, they could pretty easily figure out ways to circumvent the purpose (the kid leaves their phone with a friend at the movies, who sends the check-in email, while the kid goes somewhere else, for example.) And, it seems reasonable to think that kids will come up with hacks to the application to send a false location.

So, in terms of a parent's overall goal of keeping track of one's kids, iCurfew, might not be a good option, especially for those who are having problems and trust issues with their kids.

But, in some circumstances, where parents and kids have an overall healthy relationship it might be a positive tool, not only for keeping track of where kids are, but helping to build accountability and responsibility in a teen's life.

The app also has some other benefits outside of the primary purpose of checking in. For example, helping parents with precise information on where to pick up their kid, and where to meet one another, let's say when on a shopping trip at a big mall.

In fact, I'm thinking of all of the uses it might provide for me in connecting with my wife. Like sending her my location when I'm out fishing local rivers on my own. Could provide some piece of mind for both of us. Seems like it would be well worth the $0.99 to download and use it myself.

The application is only available for use on the iPhone.

Source: HomeWord / Center for Youth and Family at APU

Technology Not Causing Social Isolation: Pew Study

Parents should keep in mind that although the modes of communication have changed since they were teenagers, today's social media platforms (texting, social networking sites, cell phones) are the preferred method teens use to communicate. Pew Internet's new study, though not specifically investigating teens, is a good reminder that technology use in communication isn't creating social isolation. Parents should also consider jumping on the bandwagon, if they've resisted, as it appears that contrary to popular belief, technology actually builds broader social interactions, which means there's opportunity for better communication and connection with their teens.

Contrary to popular belief, technology is not leading to social isolation and Americans who use the Internet and mobile phones have larger and more diverse social networks, according to a new study.

"All the evidence points in one direction," said Keith Hampton, lead author of the report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project released Wednesday. "People's social worlds are enhanced by new communication technologies.

"It is a mistake to believe that Internet use and mobile phones plunge people into a spiral of isolation," said Hampton, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania.
The authors said key findings of the study -- "Social Isolation and New Technology" -- "challenge previous research and commonplace fears about the harmful social impact of new technology."

"There is a tendency by critics to blame technology first when social change occurs," Hampton said.

"This is the first research that actually explores the connection between technology use and social isolation and we find the opposite.

"It turns out that those who use the Internet and mobile phones have notable social advantages," Hampton said. "People use the technology to stay in touch and share information in ways that keep them socially active and connected to their communities."

The study found that six percent of Americans can be described as socially isolated -- lacking anyone to discuss important matters with or who they consider to be "especially significant" in their life.

That figure has hardly changed since 1985, it said.

Source: Google / AFP
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j4aQ3JneT8Z4Rws7Qd4UqY1FzXtQ

Is Texting Good For Teens? The Jury Is Out, But Does It Matter?

Rounding up the bits and pieces running through my brain this morning regarding texting...

• Nielsen reported in June that in the first quarter of '09, teens on average send/receive 2,900 texts a month, up from 2,272 in the fourth quarter of '08. That's a 28% increase in texting in just 3 months.

• I've seen articles that have warned that the advent of texting, with it's abbreviations (OMG) and word substitutions (gr8), is the harbinger of the end of the English language as we've known it.

• Now, some educators are saying that texting can be good for teens in terms of language development. Initial research indicated that when it comes to informal essays, kids who use some text-speak outperform kids who don't. When it comes to formal essays, (perhaps obviously) texting can hurt performance.

• I'm thinking the jury is still out on whether texting will end up being good or bad for teens, and that we won't know the ultimate answer for a very long time.

• My question is, does it really matter one way or the other?

• Language changes. We don't speak the King's English anymore, although there are some who still cling to the King James Bible. I've heard my share of KJV-laced prayers in church ("We beseech thee, oh Lord") but not nearly as much these days.

• There will be plenty of English purists who stand watch and will be sure to warn along the way. Even so, will it matter?

• I'm confident kids will still be learning proper English in schools for the immediate future.

• I won't be surprised, however, if things change over time. Look at how learning the skill of handwriting has disappeared in school curriculum over the years.

• Today's teenagers are going to text. You might not like that fact, but if it's a button-pusher for you, you're going to have to get over it. Texting won't be going away anytime soon. There might be something else beyond texting as technologies continue to develop, but for now texting is a primary mode of communication.

• Back when my generation was moving through adolescence, I don't remember that writing notes to friends (other than when we were in a class) was popular. We primarily communicated in person or by phone. Were the adults of that time concerned because we had lost the art of note or letter writing? Perhaps there were some. Were adults concerned about our casual verbal communication when they overheard our conversations? Has it made a difference in our lives today? Were we negatively impacted by the lack of writing as a form of communication to our peers? Can anyone now provide a qualitative answer? Does anyone care? (I don't lose any sleep over this.)

• So now, kids are writing to communicate with their peers and adults at an impressively increasing rate. For language purists, it might be not be writing in the mode they would desire, but does it matter?

• When teens text they have to think about language. They have to express their thoughts. That cannot be all bad.

• If today's teens are still texting well into their adult years, the English language might just look different than it does today. But, at least they'll know the language and I'm thinking that they'll be able to communicate successfully.

Verily verily, I say unto thee.

LG Translates Teen Texts For Parents

Are you finding it difficult to translate your teens' text messages? Perhaps you are a n00b to texting? A new website helps parents understand texting language.

Parents who are having trouble understanding what their teens are saying to each other via text messages have a new resource for translation. LG Mobile Phones has set up a new Web site, www.LGDTXTR.com, that gives the meaning of more than 2,000 popular text abbreviations, such as MOS (mom over shoulder), PRW (parents are watching) and RUSOS (are you in trouble).

"Teens are constantly creating new ways to communicate, and while texting is not a new phenomenon, the unique shorthand phrases that have been created as a result are growing daily," stated Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing for LG Mobile Phones, in a statement. "LG DTXTR (detexter) is a tool to keep everyone -- young and old -- current with the language, and as it grows, it enhances our understanding of what's important to teenagers."

Source: Marketing Daily
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=106827

Teens Text Average Of Nearly 80 Messages Each Day

I didn't want this tidbit from yesterday's post on how texting might be taking a toll on teens to fly under the radar. So, I'm giving this a post of its own...

American teenagers sent and received an average of 2,272 text messages per month in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the Nielsen Company — almost 80 messages a day, more than double the average of a year earlier.

Source: New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/health/26teen.html

1 in 5 U.S. Families Are Cellphone Only

Preliminary results from the July-December 2008 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) indicate that the number of American homes with only wireless telephones continues to grow. More than one of every five American homes (20.2%) had only wireless telephones (also known as cellular telephones, cell phones, or mobile phones) during the second half of 2008, an increase of 2.7 percentage points since the first half of 2008. This is the largest 6-month increase observed since NHIS began collecting data on wireless-only households in 2003.

In addition, one of every seven American homes (14.5%) received all or almost all calls on wireless telephones, despite having a landline telephone in the home. This report presents the most up-to-date estimates available from the federal government concerning the size and characteristics of these populations.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics / Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/wireless200905.htm

How close are you to pulling the plug on your family's landline?

Teens Looking To Discuss Economy With Parents

The current economy has opened the door for parent-teen discussion. Take advantage of this opportunity for communication with your kids!

A recent study has revealed that 70% of teens have discussed the state of the economy with their parents. 47% said that they would like to talk to their parents more about the issue. The study was conducted by the Scarborough Kids Internet Panel of Scarborough Research.

Source: Center for Media Research
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=101233#comments

Study: Cell Users Now Texting More Than Calling

It's a sign of the times -- cell phone users are now texting more than they are talking.  

According to a survey released by Nielsen Mobile, U.S. cell phone users sent and received an average of 357 text messages per month for the second quarter of 2008.

That's compared to 65 text messages a month during the first quarter of 2006.

As expected, teens are texting more than adults; they tend to send and receive more than 1700 texts a month.

For some of those teens, it’s almost like an addiction.

Troy Solomon says he’d consider himself a “textaholic” – during a long distance relationship last year, Solomon says he exchanged about 5,000 text messages with his girlfriend each month.

The national average per month is a far lower than that, but experts predict teens aren't too far off from reaching that number on a monthly basis.

Source: 9wsyr.com
http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=538dcd23-3979-4daf-ab11-a11edb147768

Does this mean the art of conversation will be lost within a generation? I'm not sure. I am sure that teens are texting. My friend Bear, a senior in high school, told me the other day he would rather text than talk on the phone. It seems this is kind of a communication management skill. He can keep what he wants to say short and sweet and not get caught up in a long conversation. He's in control. There is something appealing about this. Don't get me wrong though, Bear can talk up a storm in person. He's a great conversationalist. So, there's no lack of ability on his part, but texting makes managing his communication easier. And, it seems to be the wave of the future, even for us late-adapting adults.

Teens Say E-mail Just Doesn't Cut It

What about e-mail, which not only is more familiar to most parents but also remains the primary form of communication in office settings? Could e-mail be going the way of the telegram? The stamped letter? The rotary phone?

It's not that suburban teens never use e-mail. When compelled to communicate with adults who - bless their technology-challenged hearts - don't know any better, teens will resort to the technology of yesteryear.

In other words, high school and college students don't mind using e-mail as a bridge with older adults. But when it comes to social communication, most view e-mail as Samuel Morse viewed the Pony Express - yesterday's news.

How do teens decide when to text, when to instant message and when to use Facebook?

Texting dominates, they say, because they always have their phones.

Source: Daily Herald
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=206573

According to the article, some parents are jumping on the texting bandwagon as they find it the quickest, most reliable way to contact their kids when they are away from home.

Text Generation Gap: U R 2 Old (JK)

A great article from the New York Times on how texting from cellphones has changed how kids communicate and can keep parents in the dark, even when they're with their parents... Worth the full read.

When Russell Hampton looked into his rearview mirror he saw his daughter sending a text message on her cellphone. “Katie, you shouldn’t be texting all the time,” Mr. Hampton recalled telling her. “Your friends are there. It’s rude.” Katie rolled her eyes again.

“But, Dad, we’re texting each other,” she replied with a harrumph. “I don’t want you to hear what I’m saying.”

Chastened, Mr. Hampton turned his attention back to the freeway. It’s a common scene these days, one playing out in cars, kitchens and bedrooms across the country.

Children increasingly rely on personal technological devices like cellphones to define themselves and create social circles apart from their families, changing the way they communicate with their parents.

But as with any cultural shift involving parents and children — the birth of rock ’n’ roll or the sexual revolution of the 1960s, for example — various gulfs emerge. Baby boomers who warned decades ago that their out-of-touch parents couldn’t be trusted now sometimes find themselves raising children who — thanks to the Internet and the cellphone — consider Mom and Dad to be clueless, too.

Cellphones, instant messaging, e-mail and the like have encouraged younger users to create their own inventive, quirky and very private written language. That has given them the opportunity to essentially hide in plain sight. They are more connected than ever, but also far more independent.

Text messaging, in particular, has perhaps become this generation’s version of pig Latin. For dumbfounded parents, AT&T now offers a tutorial that decodes acronyms meant to keep parents at bay.

Source: The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/business/09cell.html?ex=1205726400&en=f07391b8da3489e7&ei=5070&emc=eta1