Transcript of Part 1-5 Above:
Teen Social
Development with Peers
While constant updates seem often unimportant to adults over 30, social media is essential to teens as they
jockey for social status. Social media allows teens to experiment with social
identity which is a key to maturation. It is a status game that teaches them the rules of adult life. Teens
socialize with those that validate them and build social capital (Boyd, 2006).
Friends are public displays of connections, “You are who you know” (Boyd, 2007).
Teen group identities “form around…the collective tastes and attitudes of those
who identity with the group” (ibid). The changes that adolescents experience
make them self- conscious and their peer group becomes a safe haven with members
often acting, dressing and speaking alike (Mannheim, 2011). “For many of them,
good standing with classmates is the only way to secure a safe identity, and so
they spend hours on the channels of adolescent fare.” (Bauerlein, 2009,
p.133).
Social media is used by teens to create connections, enhance
communication and keep in touch over a distance. It is primarily used to
maintain relationships with people they meet offline (Ito et al., 2008) 88% of
teens use social media to chat with friends, 87% post comments, 86% create
status updates, and 80% post photos or videos (Lenhart et al., 2011). Some new
connections are built from niche interest sites like gaming. 45% of social
network gamers say that it is a “great way to meet gamers from around the world”
(Teens and Social Networks Study, 2010). However, when making new friends, most teens are simply getting to know
“friends of friends” and not strangers (Irvine, 2007). Most teenagers do not
think of social media as a tool to make friends they will never meet in person.
And just as in the offline world, online there are social rules for friending
and leaving comments. For example, it is awkward to say ‘no’to friend request
and who someone’s friends affect their image. One teen in Chicago says, “It’s
like a big popularity contest- who can get the most friend requests or get the
most pictures tagged” (Tanner, 2011). In addition, comments are intended to be
given and generally expected to be reciprocated. They are a form of cultural
currency for teens (Boyd, 2006).
Since people don’t tend to post imperfections and often lie to impress online, teens sometimes do not feel that
they can measure up which can lead to depression (Tanner, 2011). “People tend to
lie a lot on Facebook, bragging about their relationships, what they bought,
what they have. Everyone does it, including me of course” said one 17 year old
male (Greene, 2011). Profiles often present someone as their best self, in the
utopian world they create online for themselves. Many teens don’t realize this
when comparing themselves to others as most teenagers do regularly.
Besides popularity concerns, common social networking risks include sexting and cyberbullying-which is the
most common online risk for teens (O’Keeffe & Clarke-Pearson, 2011, p. 801).
One in six teens say they have received sexually suggestive images or videos (Lenhart et al., 2011) and 37% of
teens admit to using social networking sites to bully others (Vivo, n.d.).
Teens that are bullied online are more likely to be bullied anywhere and
experience other negative things in their lives (Lenhart et al., 2011). Often
social media issues that began online can bleed into the offline world. One
middle school girl says, “They won’t say it to your face, but they will write it
online” (ibid). On a positive note, 84% have come to the aid of someone being
bullied (ibid). Most teens report that social networks are friendly places for
them (Sydell, 2011). Two third of teens say they have had an experience on social
media that made them feel good about themselves and 58% say they feel closer to
someone because of an experience on a social networking site (Lenhart et al.,
2011). However, 41% admit to having at least one negative experience (ibid).
“Social hierarchies that regulate “coolness” offline are also present online”
(Boyd, 2007) proving that teens navigate the world around them online as they do
offline.
Other risks include advertisements targeted to teens that can affect behavior and views about what
is socially normal (O’Keeffe & Clarke-Pearson, 2011, p. 801), internet
addictions which are becoming more prevalent (Pamoukaghlian, 2011), narcissism
and a shaky sense of identity (Aly, 2008). Risks also include leaving a digital
footprint where postings and pictures can hurt image a teens with the law,
school, work, and home in the future. Unfortunately, “Adolescents become…more
independent before they’ve developed good decision- making skills” (Mannheim,
2011). Again, online teen life mirrors offline behavior but in a much more
public way making actions readily apparent to adults which can lead to
suspension from school, prosecution in court, and grounding at home (O’Keeffe
& Clarke-Pearson, 2011, p. 801).
Many people are worried that these social networking sites hurt face-to face interaction, but it can actually
lead to more offline contact as people meet up ad hoc after reading posts of
what others are doing. When people meet up, it feels like they have never really
been apart. Some even say they have made more offline friends by using online
social media. People still maintain their inner circle of friends- true
intimates, but have far more weak ties now that would have faded away in the
past (Thompson, 2008). Social media News Feeds remind people that someone
exists. These weak ties very important as they can help expand networks when
looking for jobs, a question answered, advice, etc. (Ibid). And news feeds
create almost omnipresent knowledge that social scientists call “Ambient
Knowledge.” It is like being able to pick up of someone’s mood by being close
to them. It uses a sense of rhythms of a friend’s life in a way that was never
before possible. It has been described as feeling like ESP.
“It’s like I can distantly read everyone’s mind. I love that. I feel like
I’m getting to something raw about my friends” (ibid).
Throughout history the only people that were deemed worthy of documentation in public life were
celebrities and the wealthy. But today, teens must think not only about who
witnesses them in person, but also all of the invisible audience that may
witness them in these networked spaces. They must consider how to communicate
when the audience does not see their body language and may misinterpret them.
They must maneuver around issues (possibly that they consider private) that are
amplified as they go public. And they must do this in the most public setting
possible which increases the stakes dramatically. In addition, this public
connection is nonstop. Teens are connected more than ever before. In past
generations social life often stopped once a teenager entered their home. Now it
can interrupt family time, homework time, and private personal time. There seems
to be no way to disconnect for a teenager and this 24 public sphere is a very
new component to consider in teen the social development process.
Biblio on first page of Social Networking and Youth Identity
Graphs from Common Sense Media
Identity section: Jennifer Bowden
Teen Social
Development with Peers
While constant updates seem often unimportant to adults over 30, social media is essential to teens as they
jockey for social status. Social media allows teens to experiment with social
identity which is a key to maturation. It is a status game that teaches them the rules of adult life. Teens
socialize with those that validate them and build social capital (Boyd, 2006).
Friends are public displays of connections, “You are who you know” (Boyd, 2007).
Teen group identities “form around…the collective tastes and attitudes of those
who identity with the group” (ibid). The changes that adolescents experience
make them self- conscious and their peer group becomes a safe haven with members
often acting, dressing and speaking alike (Mannheim, 2011). “For many of them,
good standing with classmates is the only way to secure a safe identity, and so
they spend hours on the channels of adolescent fare.” (Bauerlein, 2009,
p.133).
Social media is used by teens to create connections, enhance
communication and keep in touch over a distance. It is primarily used to
maintain relationships with people they meet offline (Ito et al., 2008) 88% of
teens use social media to chat with friends, 87% post comments, 86% create
status updates, and 80% post photos or videos (Lenhart et al., 2011). Some new
connections are built from niche interest sites like gaming. 45% of social
network gamers say that it is a “great way to meet gamers from around the world”
(Teens and Social Networks Study, 2010). However, when making new friends, most teens are simply getting to know
“friends of friends” and not strangers (Irvine, 2007). Most teenagers do not
think of social media as a tool to make friends they will never meet in person.
And just as in the offline world, online there are social rules for friending
and leaving comments. For example, it is awkward to say ‘no’to friend request
and who someone’s friends affect their image. One teen in Chicago says, “It’s
like a big popularity contest- who can get the most friend requests or get the
most pictures tagged” (Tanner, 2011). In addition, comments are intended to be
given and generally expected to be reciprocated. They are a form of cultural
currency for teens (Boyd, 2006).
Since people don’t tend to post imperfections and often lie to impress online, teens sometimes do not feel that
they can measure up which can lead to depression (Tanner, 2011). “People tend to
lie a lot on Facebook, bragging about their relationships, what they bought,
what they have. Everyone does it, including me of course” said one 17 year old
male (Greene, 2011). Profiles often present someone as their best self, in the
utopian world they create online for themselves. Many teens don’t realize this
when comparing themselves to others as most teenagers do regularly.
Besides popularity concerns, common social networking risks include sexting and cyberbullying-which is the
most common online risk for teens (O’Keeffe & Clarke-Pearson, 2011, p. 801).
One in six teens say they have received sexually suggestive images or videos (Lenhart et al., 2011) and 37% of
teens admit to using social networking sites to bully others (Vivo, n.d.).
Teens that are bullied online are more likely to be bullied anywhere and
experience other negative things in their lives (Lenhart et al., 2011). Often
social media issues that began online can bleed into the offline world. One
middle school girl says, “They won’t say it to your face, but they will write it
online” (ibid). On a positive note, 84% have come to the aid of someone being
bullied (ibid). Most teens report that social networks are friendly places for
them (Sydell, 2011). Two third of teens say they have had an experience on social
media that made them feel good about themselves and 58% say they feel closer to
someone because of an experience on a social networking site (Lenhart et al.,
2011). However, 41% admit to having at least one negative experience (ibid).
“Social hierarchies that regulate “coolness” offline are also present online”
(Boyd, 2007) proving that teens navigate the world around them online as they do
offline.
Other risks include advertisements targeted to teens that can affect behavior and views about what
is socially normal (O’Keeffe & Clarke-Pearson, 2011, p. 801), internet
addictions which are becoming more prevalent (Pamoukaghlian, 2011), narcissism
and a shaky sense of identity (Aly, 2008). Risks also include leaving a digital
footprint where postings and pictures can hurt image a teens with the law,
school, work, and home in the future. Unfortunately, “Adolescents become…more
independent before they’ve developed good decision- making skills” (Mannheim,
2011). Again, online teen life mirrors offline behavior but in a much more
public way making actions readily apparent to adults which can lead to
suspension from school, prosecution in court, and grounding at home (O’Keeffe
& Clarke-Pearson, 2011, p. 801).
Many people are worried that these social networking sites hurt face-to face interaction, but it can actually
lead to more offline contact as people meet up ad hoc after reading posts of
what others are doing. When people meet up, it feels like they have never really
been apart. Some even say they have made more offline friends by using online
social media. People still maintain their inner circle of friends- true
intimates, but have far more weak ties now that would have faded away in the
past (Thompson, 2008). Social media News Feeds remind people that someone
exists. These weak ties very important as they can help expand networks when
looking for jobs, a question answered, advice, etc. (Ibid). And news feeds
create almost omnipresent knowledge that social scientists call “Ambient
Knowledge.” It is like being able to pick up of someone’s mood by being close
to them. It uses a sense of rhythms of a friend’s life in a way that was never
before possible. It has been described as feeling like ESP.
“It’s like I can distantly read everyone’s mind. I love that. I feel like
I’m getting to something raw about my friends” (ibid).
Throughout history the only people that were deemed worthy of documentation in public life were
celebrities and the wealthy. But today, teens must think not only about who
witnesses them in person, but also all of the invisible audience that may
witness them in these networked spaces. They must consider how to communicate
when the audience does not see their body language and may misinterpret them.
They must maneuver around issues (possibly that they consider private) that are
amplified as they go public. And they must do this in the most public setting
possible which increases the stakes dramatically. In addition, this public
connection is nonstop. Teens are connected more than ever before. In past
generations social life often stopped once a teenager entered their home. Now it
can interrupt family time, homework time, and private personal time. There seems
to be no way to disconnect for a teenager and this 24 public sphere is a very
new component to consider in teen the social development process.
Biblio on first page of Social Networking and Youth Identity
Graphs from Common Sense Media
Identity section: Jennifer Bowden