Jim Liebelt's Youth Culture Watch

Many Parents Fret Over Time Kids Spend on Phones, Computers

Many American parents are worried that the large amount of time teens spend immersed in electronic media makes it difficult to discuss the dangers of risky behavior such as drug and alcohol use, a new study indicates.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America surveyed more than 1,200 parents and found that more than one-third are concerned about how TV (38 percent), computers (37 percent) and video games (33 percent) hinder parent-child communications.

More than one-quarter of parents are also worried about new forms of media such as cell phone texting (27 percent), and social networking sites such as Facebook (25 percent) and Twitter (19 percent).

"These new findings present a unique opportunity for parents to play a more active role in what their kids are watching, monitor how they are spending their time online and remain aware of the impact all of this media consumption is having on their impressionable teens," Steve Pasierb, president of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, said in an organization news release.

"We know that kids today are bombarded with pro-drug and drinking messages via everything from song lyrics, movies and video games, to social networking sites. Videos of kids abusing cough medicine and common household products to get high are all too accessible online and that's why it's more important than ever for parents to break through the media noise and make their voices heard," he added.

One way for parents to do that is to use electronic devices to connect with their teens to begin and maintain a dialogue about avoiding risky behaviors. While not as good as an in-person conversation, parents can use e-mail, cell phones and texting to begin a dialogue with a reluctant teen, and to reinforce safety messages at times when teen drug use and drinking is more likely, such as after school, on weekends and during unsupervised periods.

Source: Businessweek
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/641960.html

Teens Prefer Texting

In a recent survey by ExactTarget, U.S. teens (ages 15-17) say they prefer texting over other methods of communication including email and Facebook.

Texting was the communication activity teens were most likely to report having increased over the past six months, according to the ExactTarget survey. There were also significant numbers of teens using Facebook, meeting in person and communicating via e-mail more, but most respondents held those activities steady.

 

Source: eMarketer
http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007737

Recap: Teens and Mobile Phones

Last week I posted about the Pew Internet study documenting the latest statistics on teens' use of mobile phones and revealing that text messaging is their chief method of communication. Today, I'm following up with a graphic from Pew that displays a summary of how teens communicate with friends by different methods. Also, there's a good summary of Pew's findings at the source link below.

Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Teens-and-Mobile-Phones.aspx

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