A new culture is growing up around us. Teens have not only adapted to the internet, they have internalized it. On one hand, sites directed toward teens are increasingly mixing commercial and cultural messages - "love my community, love my brand" - but on the other hand, the internet is offering teens a wide array of opportunities to interact, express their views, and participate in community. All this and much more is extensively documented in a new study released by the Center for Media Education. Be prepared for a long read; it will take about an hour to get through the executive summary if you follow the references (and do follow the references; these typical teen sites animate in a way no words could the observations offered in the study (you will have to look up some of the sites using Google, as URLs are not provided)). But if you're like me, the summary will merely whet your appetite for more. Be prepared for some longish PDF downloads. This study is required reading for people working with teens and strongly recommended for educators and instructional designers in general. If you really don't have time, then read the CME press release to get a good overview.
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