Jim Liebelt's Youth Culture Watch

A Third of Teens Say They've Texed While Driving

According to a new survey from Pew Internet, when it comes to texting while driving, the nut (teens) don't fall far from the tree (parents)...

A third of teens ages 16 and 17 say they have texted while driving and 48 percent of teens ages 12 to 17 say they have been in a car when the driver was texting, according to a new survey from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

While those findings may not surprise some, Pew senior research specialist Amanda Lenhart said she was surprised "to hear (from teens) about how it’s often parents or other adults who are doing the texting or talking and driving, and how for many teens, this is scary or worrisome behavior."

"Much of the public discussion around these behaviors has focused on teens as young, inexperienced drivers, but some of the adults in these young peoples' lives are clearly not setting the best example either," said Mary Madden, Pew senior research specialist who also worked on the survey.

"Teens spoke not only of adults texting at the wheel, but also fumbling with GPS devices and being distracted because they're talking on the phone constantly," she said. "And the reactions from the teens we spoke with ranged from being really scared by these behaviors to feeling as though it wasn't a big deal."

One teen boy quoted in the study said his dad "drives like he's drunk. His phone is just like sitting right in front of his face, and he puts his knees on the bottom of the steering wheel and tries to text."

Another boy, a middle-school student, was asked how often he is in "moving vehicle when the driver sends a text message." His answer? "All the time. My mom, sister or brother will sit behind the wheel the whole time and just text away."

Source: MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33920495/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

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.

Grudgingly, Young People Finally Flock To Twitter

More young adults and teens — normally at the cutting edge of technology — are finally coming around to Twitter, using it for class or work, monitoring the minutiae of celebrities' lives.

It's not always love at first tweet, though. Many of them are doing it grudgingly, perhaps because a friend pressures them or a teacher or boss makes them try the 140-character microblogging site.

Their slowness to warm to Twitter comes in part from a fondness for the ease and directness of text messaging and other social networking services that most of their friends already use.

While Facebook's audience is aging, Twitterers are getting younger. Internet tracker comScore Inc. found that 18- to 24-year-olds made up 18 percent of unique visitors to Twitter in September, compared with 11 percent a year earlier.

Meanwhile, kids ages 12 to 17 accounted for 12 percent of Twitter visitors last month, about double the proportion of a year earlier.

Source: Associated Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jN8nohwnjEFrJLJhKB1JT09cNB9gD9BFN9FG6

More Teens Visiting Web on Mobile Phones

Do you know what web sites your teen is visiting on his or her mobile phone? It's a timely question, as teens (13 - 17) are visiting the web via their cell phones in increasing numbers (up 45% in the past year,) only being outpaced by senior adults (65+). As difficult as it has been for parents to monitor their kids' Internet usage, web access on mobile phones has made the task even harder.

Given that by 2011, cell phones will be the greatest provider of Internet pornography and that the greatest number of new users of Internet pornography are guys, ages 11 - 17, Internet access via cell phones might just be the perfect storm, setting up lots of teenagers for the potential of becoming addicted to porn.

Looking to the future, I can envision a time when all mobile phones have Internet access. We'll have to cross that bridge when we get there. But for now, parents should consider whether or not their teens really need a new phone that has Internet access. Think through the pros and cons. Then, make the best decision you can.

For more information, see Jim Burns share some tips on guiding your teens online in a brief video, here.

According to a recent release from The Nielsen Company, web visitors using a mobile device increased 34% year-over-year, from 42.5 million mobile Web visitors in July 2008 to 56.9 million in July 2009. Overall, year-over-year growth among the 13-17 and 65+ age groups outpaced the growth of the total mobile Web audience, with a youth increase of 45% and seniors surging upwards 67% in July.

Source: Center for Media Research
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=115213

Interest in iPhone High as iPod, iTunes Dominate Teen Market

The of the 18th bi-annual Piper Jaffray teen survey shows that Apple's share among teen consumers continues to grow. The results were based on a survey of approximately 600 teenagers, who were queried about their buying patterns and preferences.

Apple's smallest market among teens -- the iPhone -- is poised to greatly expand. While 15 percent of those surveyed currently own an iPhone, 22 percent intend to purchase one in the next six months.

"We believe the $99 iPhone 3G has been a meaningful part of share gains in the last six months," Senior Research Analyst Gene Munster said. "Previously, teens were indicating that the plan pricing and handset pricing were too high for them (and their parents) to buy iPhones. The lower pricing appears to have been a catalyst for share gains."

Apple has maintained its utter dominance of the portable media player market (iPods), with an 87 percent total share, up from 84 percent one year ago. Coming in second was Microsoft with 3 percent, followed by Sony with 2 percent.

Those who plan to buy overwhelmingly choose Apple as well, though Microsoft's share of that question grew significantly. Of those who plan to buy a media player in the next 12 months, 74 percent said they will choose an iPod, while 13 percent said Zune, and 9 percent opted for a Sony product.

"Apple's dominance in the PMP market remains largely unchecked," Munster said, "and it is clear to us that Apple has captured the 'cool factor' among high school students across America."

Source: AppleInsider
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/10/06/interest_in_iphone_high_as_ipod_itunes_dominate_teen_market.html

Palm's Pixi Smartphone Flies Into Youth Market

Let the smartphone wars begin again.

Palm has unveiled the sequel to its Pre, the Pixi. The teeny iPod Nano-like device is a smaller version of the Pre smartphone, aimed at younger customers.

Sprint will start selling the phone by year's end. And in a bid to boost sales, Sprint today drops its price on the Pre to $149, from $199, plus a two-year contract. Palm's combination phone/music and Web device is seen as a viable competitor to Apple's iPhone.

Unlike the Pre, the Pixi doesn't have Wi-Fi, which means it can't be used to access the Internet outside of Sprint's network. It also has a smaller screen, keyboard and camera — two-megapixel to the Pre's three-megapixel.

Source: USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-09-08-smartphone-palm-pixi_N.htm?csp=34

Texting Affecting Quality of Sleep for Teens

Another recent study confirms that texting is interfering with the quality of sleep teens receive.

A recent study revealed that text messages on mobile phones are making an impact on the quality of sleep for almost 50% of the 16 year old people. According to a report, the sleep of 25% of 13 year old youngsters can also be affected.

The Leuven study on media and adolescent health was conducted in Flanders in which about 2500 children studying in 1st and 4th year - aged 13 and 16 years were asked how many times they wake in the night because of incoming SMS messages in their mobile phones. In the 13 year old children, 13.4% reported that they wake up 1-3 times in a month, 5.8% wake up one in a week, 5.3% wake up many times in a week and 2.2% wake up every night. In the group of 16 year old children, 20.8% wake up 1-3 times in a month, 10.8% wake up at least one time in a week, 8.9% wake up many times in a week and 2.9% wake up every night.

Source: News-Reviews.org
http://news-reviews.org/uncategorized/text-messaging-affect-quality-of-sleep/

Chatting Online Boosts Lonely Teens' Confidence

Hours spent chatting online by the glow of the computer screen doesn't make lonely teens more isolated and unhappy, new research suggests - in fact, it may boost their confidence and self-esteem.

The study flies in the face of previous research and popular notions that a lot of Internet time breeds emotional and social problems, and the results surprised even the researchers.

Maarten Selfhout-van Zalk, a researcher with the youth and society research group at Orebro University in Sweden, says that for teens with few friends and weak friendships, more time spent online is a good thing.

"We found if they chat more, with strangers specifically, they increase in their well-being over time," he says. "They gain positive feelings from that; they actually experience better self-esteem."

He said they expected Internet usage to have detrimental effects on lonely teens who were investing more time in online friendships than real ones. Instead, their research suggests the Internet acts as a social training ground, where such teens can meet people, create support networks and build their confidence and social skills for real-world interactions.

The study is published in the Journal of Adolescence.

Source: Canada.com
http://www.canada.com/health/Chatting+online+boosts+lonely+teens+confidence+study/1968364/story.html

New Product Alert for Parents

Schmoop - iPhone applications - send your kids to school online.

Think electronic "Cliff Notes."

Shmoop, an online learning tool designed for high-school students, has unveiled several new categories and a whopping 115 iPhone apps.

The site now features study guides on poetry, bestselling books, civics, and biography. It already offered in-depth information on U.S. history and literature.

The timing on Shmoop's announcement is certainly appropriate. School is about to be back in session. Students will be needing Shmoop's online offerings to help them get through class.

But just how they use Shmoop's features is up for debate.

Shmoop does provide a nice resource for kids who have already read a book for literature class, it also provides a fine resource for kids who decide they don't want to read the book and would rather use Shmoop to learn all about it.

Each book listed on Shmoop's site includes a basic summary, in-depth analysis, themes, and other information that practically every teacher is referencing when they ask students to write essays on those topics. Similar to CliffsNotes, Shmoop can be used as a free alternative to actually reading the book. It's an intrinsic issue with Shmoop that I just don't see the company fixing. It's a necessary cost of doing business for a site like this.

Source: CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10320218-2.html