Observations on the Teen Demographic (Part 2 of 3): The Birth of Generation Digital

The current generation of teens are firmly in what some analysts have called the “digital generation” or “Net generation.” They've grown up entrenched in digital and electronic technology and its effects on the media. Images in the TV and films they watch, in the magazines they read, and in the ads on all of the above which are aimed specifically at them are sophisticated, glossy, impressively sophisticated, and rapid fire.

They’ve received more exposure to computers than most of us probably did at their age; even if they don’t get hands-on usage regularly, talk of computers and the Internet is everywhere, with a majority of students anticipating having to use computers in their jobs and feeling that schools aren’t teaching them enough of what they’ll need to know. To get an idea of how quickly things are changing, it’s good to keep in mind that the transition from exclusively print media to a world saturated by electronic media has happened in less than a century. Estimates of computer and Internet usage are reflecting this kind of exponential growth pattern.

Computer technology has helped drive shifting educational paradigms. Our schools are slowly moving from the traditional broadcast teaching style (an authority dispensing information uni-directionally) to a more interactive approach where cooperative learning is being utilized, allowing students to participate in their own acquisition of knowledge. This shift is still underway and slow, but it’s receiving more and more attention and priority as research confirms its effectiveness.

At the same time, it’s good to keep in mind that, even though teens are living in a more technology-saturated world than older generations grew up in, the basic emotional challenges of fitting in, becoming independent, managing familial, friendly and romantic relationships are much the same. Today’s teens still worry about these things, in addition to grades, getting a good job, dating and peer pressure issues.

On the other hand, these teens have also been raised with the specters of cancer, HIV, and other modern plagues hanging over them, and with the growing sense of responsibility caused by the generally held belief that risks for many of the illnesses or tragedies that befall humans can be prevented or minimized.

The challenge then, is to create products that appeal to these teens, with all these other issues in mind. In order to create products in forms that this generation can relate to, are used to using, and that appeal to them, we need to teach them in ways they’re used to learning. More and more, that may mean questioning traditional instructional methods. Students are growing up digitally and as a result they learn differently.

• Over 80% of teens 13-17 use a computer at least once a week; 1/4 self-reporting as “techno-whizzes,” 28% as moderate techies.
• Surveys indicate no gender difference among teens in in-school and out-of-school computer use, including e-mail, chat rooms and school work, although teen boys visit significantly more Web sites than girls do.
• Other surveys show that girls are still not as interested as boys in a career in computers/technology. However, teen boys and girls report equal levels of confidence in their computer skills.
• A 2000 research study found that marketing is the online focus for girls; for boys, programming. While girls are reading online magazines, sending e-greetings, etc., 74% of boys are downloading free software.
• Kids are becoming self-publishers on Internet, running own sites and mailing lists, etc. It's not uncommon for high school students to make money designing Web pages or programming computers.
• Some sites offering “supervised discussions and programs like online summer camps.”
•"Virtually every major consumer magazine now visualizes the web not as a potential rival but as a potential ally." This is especially true of teen magazines -- such as Teen People -- and fashion magazines. They expand on their content on their Web site, which can be updated more frequently (e.g. daily).