There are so many confounding studies related to teens and technology, that it's getting more difficult to decipher if tech is a help or hindrance on an adolescent's development and overall well-being. First we heard that teens aren't sleeping enough because of their gadgets, but then we find out that cell phones and texting are good because it improves the parent-teen relationship.
And now, a new study that was conducted over the course of three years in the US with 800 teenagers, found that online time for teens is important for development. The report's author, Dr. Mimi Ito, said that behavior known as "geeking out" helps teens explore creative passions like gaming, video editing and writing, and it also helps them learn how to communicate online and create a public identity.
What do you think about this? Although I feel that all of the above reasons are true, I can't imagine being a teen in this huge "tech era," spending more of my time online than hanging out with friends.
"how to communicate online and create a public identity"
As long as parents ensure that the teen is well adjusted in "normal" life, I think technology is a great benefit to kids of all ages. It's up to parents to make sure that teens get the right kind or "real life" experience, as well as make sure that they are using the technology for creative exporation.
But teens do experiment, and technology can also provide a screen for them to do things they might not really do in "real life". I also read somewhere that people who grew up with technology are more likely to lie in an email (as opposed to a written letter) and less likely to know how to properly write a business email (due to the advent of TXT/IM speak).
So there has to be a balance. With the explosion of technology it is up to responsible and informed adults to stear kids in the right direction.
1