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Under 18: Blogs, Wikis and Online Social Networks for Youth

Page history last edited by PBworks 16 years, 11 months ago


 

Intro

  • Panelists discuss design opportunities to amplify young voices and enrich young peoples' lives through emergent technologies like blogs, wikis, and social networking sites.
  • Listen to the podcast

 

Presenters

  • Andrea Forte, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Danah Boyd, USC Annenberg Center
  • Anastasia Goodstein, Publisher, Ypulse
  • Kate Raynes-Goldie, TakingITGlobal
  • Erin Reilly, Exec Dir, Platform Shoes Forum
  • Elisabeth Sylvan, Researcher, MIT Media Laboratory

 

Key Points

  • There is a problem with "age segregation." Young people aged 14-17 were forced to go to high school during the Great Depression and were no longer part of the work force. That began the idea of looking at teenagers as non-contributing members of society. Today teens are also seen as non-valuable members of society.
  • Teens want to participate and express themselves to society; they are choosing to do this online.
  • Some ways that this is unique:

    1. Persistence: comments, posts, social network pages don't go away.

    2. Searchability: anyone can find information about others easily.

    3.  Replicability: you can easily replicate a conversation (such as IM) in many other places (such as a MySpace Page).

    4. Invisible Audiences: you don't always know whom you're talking to.

  • Teens are not necessarily more computer literate, they are just savvy at using the technology to their advantage (copy and paste, IM shorthand, google searching).
  • Take it global: design using technology that teens expect and are used to without alienating parents or teachers. Don't be afraid of technology, a wiki could provide a great opportunity for young people to contribute to something legitimate.
  • What are they getting out of their online lives?
    1. The things they are doing haven't changed, it's just the way they are doing them that has. Teens are doing the same thing every generation of teens has done, they are just choosing to do it online.
    2. They are looking for validation online.
    3. Teens use online tools to socialize ("If you're not on MySpace you don't exist") and do homework. Schools and libraries have a great chance to get involved with this, providing useful services in a medium that teens like and are using everyday but many adults are afraid of the technology.
    4. Socializing online is great for shy kids who have trouble expressing themselves in person. It gives them positive social interactions without a lot of the pressure.
    5. Online tools provide small groups to get support, such as gay/lesbian/bi or disabled kids in small communities to interact and talk to people they can identify with.
  • What are the real dangers online?
    1. Young people have a good idea of who is a stranger online and who isn't, the problem comes with the "invisible audience." Sometimes the lines are blurred, especially if a young person is going through a rough time and is vulnerable. The solution is more support and education. What about "online social workers" on MySpace?
    2. Online problems are a mirror of the bad things that are going on offline, such as bullying or cheating.
    3. "Online" is a public place. It's not the technology, it's the people that are causing the problems. The solution is educating the people using the technology.
    4. People providing the technology have to understand what is appropriate for which age groups and provide the right content. There should also be a way for users to contact or alert an adult if something happens that hurts them or makes them feel uncomfortable.
    5. Realize that there are also positive things that come out of online interactions.
  • What kind of technological solutions are there?
    1. Cyber-Ethics, teach young people what is appropriate. Educate, don't just cut them off!
    2. It's easier to say things online but young people need to understand that the outcome is the same as if the hurtful thing was said in person.
  • The future
    1. Teens are redefining how things are done. They are using technology to their advantage and as a form of power.
    2. Teens want to move mobile.
    3. If all of your friends can't use it, you won't use it.
    4. Work with young people, see what they like, redesign, work with different kids, etc. The process should involve young people and be flexible to meet their wants and needs.
    5. We need to keep up.

 

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