Goodstein produces a whirlwind of statistics. I think I’ll wait for the podcast (unless Lucian’s got the figures).
Panelists are:
Lahey Farmand, 18, female blogger and migrant from Iran.
Lewis, 18, teenfashionista blog.
McGunigle, the Intelligence Group
- Teens like to multi-task
- Pew Internet survey found that half of teens on the Internet, create content online.
We start by listening to a typical day for the teens.
Lahey’s alarm clock rings. It’s her cellphone. She just got an iPod. She’s not allowed to use cellphones in school but she says most people do it anyway. THey have computers in most classes. She chats and emails. Sometimes she text messages when she doesn’t feel like talking. She finds it helpful. She sometimes watches TV but prefers using the computer more. She writes personal stuff on her blog.
Lewis wakes up to her iPod alarm. The first thing she does is to check her email. She listens to her iPod on the way to school. She uses the computer in school not always for homework but to chat. She always has her cellphone with her to chat with friends. She checks out her daily favourite blogs and MSN. Then she does freelance writing and updates her blog. She listens to her iPod and watches TV. She checks her email and listens to her iPod before she goes to bed. She decided to blog about fashion and entertainment because it’s easy to get comments.
The weirdest thing that happened to Lewis was that someone impersonated her in online chat.
Before she writes about her friends, Farmand calls them up to make sure it’s OK with them. Even then, she uses their initials only. However she doesn’t think others check with their friends. [I’d tend to agree]
Lewis speaks her mind though of course she won’t get out of hand. McGunigle says not many young people think long term.
Goodstein notes that young people today are more ‘scheduled’ than we were. Being a teen is figuring out an identity and a lot of this is being done online now.
What do schools and teachers DON’T get about how teens use technology?
Farmand’s school lets them use computers for research and little else. They block MySpace.com. They don’t see the positive sides of the Internet. Her school computers have labels on them saying ‘Don’t check your email’ which feels limiting. The school seems afraid of what the teens may find on the Internet.
Lewis says her teachers are even older, and coming from a small town, they don’t experience any of the new technology. They can only use basic programs. MySpace, Facebook, Hotmail are blocked. In short, there’s very little freedom for them.
[I really feel sorry for them. When I was in University the Internet was catching on and nothing was blocked. I learnt so much in 2-3 years because there were no restrictions on me.]
Lewis has conflicts at home when she has to share the computer with her parents. Another area is her cellphone and text messaging bill. She doesn’t have much face-to-face time with them.
What mistakes do companies make when producing websites for teenagers?
McGunigle says after a long day at school, teens don’t want to feel restricted. Don’t force the language and try too hard to speak to them. Let teens create their own content and let them build up a community. They’re tech-savvy and can see through what you’re trying to do.
Lewis feels so lucky to have a computer as she wouldn’t know half of what she knows now, without it. Also, it’s given her opportunities e.g. going to NY Fashion Week - when people in her small town haven’t even heard of it. [Hmm that sounds like most Singaporean friend’s reactions when I tell them I’m going to SXSW! ;-)]
What activity would they like online that they don’t have?
Lewis wants the ability to take her web stuff with her everywhere. Not everyone can have laptops. Farmand wants more wireless access. They both don’t seem to need any more bells and whistles with their instant messaging.
How does the school help them with research?
Farmand’s teacher told her not to use sites with .com but with .edu. Both gals are aware that some sites may not be helpful or credible.
I’m from a University (recruitment). What info would you like to see on our website
Both girls want to see current students’ feedback on the university. McGunigle confirms that teens prefer to hear feedback from their peers.
How do you handle teen girls who meet online for sex?
Lewis says the media has stereotyped teens just because of one case. Farmand agrees that the media’s making a big deal out of it, but not everyone;s like that. Goodstein feels that the Government’s efforts (lecturing parents to take care of teens) have only resulted in scaring more people.
Do you believe everything you read online?
Lewis takes every media report on teens with a grain of salt because reporters aren’t teens themselves.
Is there any site that teens collectively like visiting?
Myspace and other ‘safe’ social networking
Someone asked if blogging’s become passe. Lewis doesn’t feel that blogging’s going away. It gives her a lot of freedom. Farmand just wants to put out her writing on a blog. MySpace lets her make an account to call her own.
What are some cool ways to use technology to teach in classrooms?
This question was asked by a teacher. Lewis would like to see a teacher blog. Then she can have a different way of communicating with them. (The teacher assures her that teachers do blog, but anonymously!)
Are teens comfortable with marketing messages?
Yes. McGunigle adds, don’t underestimate how savvy they are. Lewis says, don’t try to sound like a teen. Get the real opinion of a teen!
Where are your friends? In school or out of state? (i.e. do you meet them face-to-face?)
Farmand’s friends are mostly where she’s from although she’s met some people online. Lewis has a wide range of contacts including those in other states. McGunigle points out that young people can be in the same room yet they can still text each other. The teens agree. Lewis says technology gives her options/freedom.
Would you click on an ad?
Lewis says she would if the company is mainstream [I interpret this as ‘well-known’]. She doesn’t trust other ads as she doesn’t know what will happen when she clicks on the ad.
Are you conscious of what you do online, having an impact on your future job prospects?
Lewis feels she should be working more on it than she should! Farmand never puts her full name and is careful of what she says. She only has a couple of photos online.
With so many options now, do you find it easy to put photos online?
Both gals find it easy to take and upload photos.
What kind of content do you find and pay for online, including cellular content?
Lewis wouldn’t pay for stuff she can get for free. A question from a guy behind me,”What about music?” draws knowing laughter from the audience and panelists. Lewis goes to BestWeekRadio for free video content. If good content is posted somewhere else, she’d go there too. McGunigle notes that more teens have hig-speed connections, more people want to create their own shorts (short films?) and it spreads to other people.