Teens, Technology and Friendship
Meeting, Hanging Out and Staying in Touch: The Role of Digital Technology in Teen Friendships. (2015, August 6). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
I can remember being a teenager back in the 90's, having fun at school, going to football games, pep rallies and even hanging out afterwards at the McDonald's, but today's teens now hang out in cyber space in addition to the time they see each other at school and in clubs. Technology, in its many forms (Snapchat, texting, Facebook, Instagram, gaming) is now an unseen means of connecting, talking to and even meeting new people. Since the advent of the internet and the smartphone everything has changed. Teen interactions are more technological, more instant, more connected, but maybe less personal than ever before?
In a study done in 2014-2015, it's found that 57% of all teens (ages 13-17) meet new people online with 29% saying that they have done so in at least 5 different venues of social media. Older teens are more likely than younger ones to do so and boys are more likely than girls to do so. Boys also tend to make friends through online gaming sites while girls tend to make friends through social media.
Admittedly, I can say I never saw this coming way back when I was in high school. I have two daughters, one 16 and the other 12. The older likes Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, although Instagram seems to be the most the favorite. My 12-year old also seems to like Instagram as well, but she also likes to Skye with friends that have moved away. I knew from being with them that these were sites they really liked using, however I didn't know how involved it really was or even could be.
Admittedly, I can say I never saw this coming way back when I was in high school. I have two daughters, one 16 and the other 12. The older likes Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, although Instagram seems to be the most the favorite. My 12-year old also seems to like Instagram as well, but she also likes to Skye with friends that have moved away. I knew from being with them that these were sites they really liked using, however I didn't know how involved it really was or even could be.
Sounds weird right? But when you think about it, it does fit in with the age. At this age teens are looking to become more independent, find out more about the world around them and make friends of their choosing. If technology is there and you're using it, why not try out the voice-over along with the new Call of Duty? It could be that you play really well with that new guy so why not friend him and find out when he'll play again. Or maybe you sort of know that new girl who's in your Bio class and you really liked that T-shirt she was wearing and maybe she knows where you can find some of those-and oh look she's already friends with your friend on Twitter, so why not try following her? It's all so convenient now, it's easy to see how and why so many teens are so involved with social media.
While the numbers are high for meeting new people online is high, meeting them in person is low, 35%. Most teens choose to FaceTime or videochat beforehand to ensure it is really another kid they are talking to. After meeting many choose to stay in contact via text message.
While the numbers are high for meeting new people online is high, meeting them in person is low, 35%. Most teens choose to FaceTime or videochat beforehand to ensure it is really another kid they are talking to. After meeting many choose to stay in contact via text message.
Then of course there are the people you know really well because you see them everyday in class, at practice afterschool or during lunch. Technological use increases in correlation to that. 88% of all teens use texting to connect with friends, but more than half (55%) say they text on a daily basis. In addition to texting, 79% use instant messaging, 71% use social media, 64% use e-mail, 59% video chat, 52% video games, 42% messaging apps. While these numbers appear high, they use these venues only occasionally, not on a daily basis.
It was encouraging to note that friendships between close friends entailed more time spent together at school, in the neighborhood or at each other's homes rather than through some form of technology. While this is true a majority of teens say that social media better connects them to their friends' feelings and lives. A whopping 83% say this is true, while blacks and Hispanics are more likely to say that they feel "a lot," more connected than whites.
Smartphones offer near constant access to friends and social media and not surprisingly those with smartphones also say they feel more connected, while only 25% of non smartphone access people report the same degree of connectedness. Some things teens said was that they felt they were helped by friends through tough situations, about 68%. While this is true, 88% said that they believe people overshare, and 53% said they see events posted that they were not invited to and feel negatively about it.
While technology can sound overwhelming and a bit scary, it seems to be that most teens have a pretty good handle on it. While technology is great, it must be talked about between parents and children. It's important to ask questions and stay cognizant of what they are doing in their free-time. As an educator we should stay informed of what teens are doing and how they choose to get their information. If this is a widely used way of communicating we should use it to our advantage to expose them to information and ideas that will teach them something in the long run.
It was encouraging to note that friendships between close friends entailed more time spent together at school, in the neighborhood or at each other's homes rather than through some form of technology. While this is true a majority of teens say that social media better connects them to their friends' feelings and lives. A whopping 83% say this is true, while blacks and Hispanics are more likely to say that they feel "a lot," more connected than whites.
Smartphones offer near constant access to friends and social media and not surprisingly those with smartphones also say they feel more connected, while only 25% of non smartphone access people report the same degree of connectedness. Some things teens said was that they felt they were helped by friends through tough situations, about 68%. While this is true, 88% said that they believe people overshare, and 53% said they see events posted that they were not invited to and feel negatively about it.
While technology can sound overwhelming and a bit scary, it seems to be that most teens have a pretty good handle on it. While technology is great, it must be talked about between parents and children. It's important to ask questions and stay cognizant of what they are doing in their free-time. As an educator we should stay informed of what teens are doing and how they choose to get their information. If this is a widely used way of communicating we should use it to our advantage to expose them to information and ideas that will teach them something in the long run.
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ReplyDeleteAngela, I read a similar entry and was pretty shocked to see some of these percentages. This type of information makes me want to block the computer and keep it away from my daughter. My students in La Joya don't really have access to technology at home, so it's hard to say what waits for them when they have access to a computer.
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