In recent columns we’ve looked at stats that suggest kids are spending considerable time in front of the television and computer, which may impact school performance. This week let’s consider other electronic media that interest teens.

A recent eMarketer report claims that in 2007, the U.S. podcast audience increased 285 percent - to 18.5 million. A Nielsen Global Online Survey suggests that 85 percent of the world’s online population has purchased popular items like the following on the Internet: books (41%), clothing/accessories/shoes (36%), videos/DVDs/Games (24%), airline tickets (24%, and electronic equipment (23%) (Nielsenmedia.com).

Satnews.com reports that kids are downloading online video clips to a personal device approximately 7.1 times per month; music videos 5.7 times monthly; music 4.2 times a month; and games 3.1 times a month. Approximately 84 % play games on a computer, video game system, portable digital music player (PDMP), or cell phone, with half listening to music and a third communicating with images or video formats.

A Pew Internet study suggests two-thirds of teens (63%) have cell phones; 35% of teen girls blog (vs. 20% of teen boys); boys tend to prefer YouTube and other video sharing sites. MySpace and FaceBook users say they send messages to friends via those sites daily. More than half of teens (55%) claim to have a profile on one of the social networking sites like MySpace.

Paragon-research.com conducted a poll of 14- to 24-year olds that showed 73% listen to music on sources other than radio (CDs, MP3’s, iPods, streaming, satellite radio, etc.), while 41% listen to recorded music. Females aged 19 to 24 used radio more than younger males polled, as of October 2007.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that 87% of Americans aged 12 to 17 used the Internet in 2004. Adults and teens use the Internet in differing ways:
--play online games
Teens 81%
Adults 32%

--IM
Teens 75%
Adults 42%

--Get school info
Teens 57%
Adults 45%

--get news or current event info
Teens 76%
Adults 73%

--get political or presidential campaign info
Teens 55%
Adults 58%

--look for religious or spiritual info
Teens 26%
Adults 30%
--buy things
Teens 43%
Adults 67%

--Look for job info
Teens 30%
Adults n/r

Tweens and Technology

Kids between the ages of 8 and 12, or “tweens,” are digitally active as well. About 35% have a mobile phone, 5% access the Internet via their phones each month—41% do so while commuting or traveling, with 56% doing so at home, according to a December 2007 Nielsen study (prnewswire.com). In this group, 20% use text messages, 58% download or watch TV on their phones, while 64% play music on their phones.

Parents and Video Games
About 35 perent of parents play video games with their children, and 61% believe video games have a positive effect on their children’s lives; 89 percent of parents say they are present for video-game purchases or rentals (Star-Telegram.com).

The expanding digital age continues to exert increasing influence over our everyday lives in areas from education to career and recreation. Awareness of these trends can help parents oversee and guide children’s use of technology for optimum benefits and minimal problems. Partnering with teachers and the community, families can provide today’s students with technical advantages that can enhance rather than hinder educational progress.