2nd part of RESEARCH
http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/dmal.9780262524834.095?cookieSet=1
Youth and Social networking
Millions of youth all over the world indulge in online social networking almost daily. Many young people of today have grown up in the digital age, and their world is the digital world. From talking to old friends to finding new ones, everything is digital to the generation of today. They use the internet to discover new identities, explore new worlds and to socialize in every way that they possible can in real life.
REASONS they use the internet for:
Exploring identities: The teenage years are the times when teens are more concerned about their personal identities. It is during this time of life that humans go through the most change physically and mentally, and these changes impact greatly on their personality. People also begin to think of them as more mature. This atmosphere and the feeling of being an “adult” makes them want to be more independent, make their own decisions etc. As they look on to their surroundings to answer the great question of “Who am I?” , teenagers become more concerned about their personal identities. The question has no straight answer->kids explore different identities to find out the answer
Social relationships: teenagers are more concerned about their social lives. Teenagers who grew up in the digital age obviously try to communicate with each other over the internet, which explains how websites like Facebook are so popular.
Positive feedback: Kids sometimes use the internet and blogs to get attention and positive feedback about themselves. The internet is anonymous, and they can create any personality they want that people might like over it. They want attention and respect and might not get that in real world (i.e. Autumn Edows/Jessica). Being in a world where they can be listened to, and where people might actually listen-They also like it when people listen to and understand their problems, and can relate to it.
Show their real personality: Some teenagers use the internet as a way to be themselves. Many people feel uncomfortable being themselves around the people they know in real life. But over the internet, it’s different. You’re anonymous, and are in a circle of people or friends who don’t even know you in real life. It’s easier to be yourself
