Tweens in the digital age

Reading Log—Week 6 (March 1-8)

We focused this week on tweens in the digital age.  Goodstein’s perspective, now at least four years old, is dated in some regards.  For example, she talks extensively about Live Journal and My Space, while Facebook is practically a footnote in her text.  Today, Facebook has more than 500 million users and is ubiquitous with nearly all age ranges.  However, she also brings up some points about tweens and their search for their identity that are relevant still, and perhaps timeless.

Goodstein talks about her own experiences as a young tween and teen, and many of her memories are of “hanging out” with her friends.  She gravitated toward people who shared her love of punk rock; the generation before her bonded over Elvis or The Beatles or muscle cars.  Families are still important to young people in this age range—a face that is emphasized in the Search Institute’s list of developmental assets—but gaining independence from one’s family is also a major part of this period.  Kids in this age feel as though they have one foot in childhood and one foot in adulthood (though they may be further from both than they think).  They rely on their families in many ways, but they need space from them.  Peers are so influential and important during these years.  The Search Institute documents highlight this as well.  Young people tend to model their behavior after one another—which is why positive peer groups are so important. 

Though tweens still spend a lot of time with their peers in person, they are able to spend essentially all their time with them in a virtual sense.  Online presence is so strong with this generation, and that has to have an impact on their relationships.  The good news is that young people are finding more and more ways to connect with people who share their interests or viewpoints, no matter where they live.  It is easier than ever to feel a part of something for this group that often feels isolated.  The bad news is that there are dangers associated with these kinds of interactions, and young people can get so wrapped up in their digital interactions that their face-to-face interactions may suffer.  I see young people frequently who would rather text a friend who is in the same room with them than have a conversation.  In fact, most of the young people I know now do not even use their cell phones as phones; they are merely delivery services for text messages.  If that kind of communication comes at the expense of them developing their interpersonal skills, that is a problem.

Sources:

Goodstein, A. 2007. Totally wired.  New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.

40 Developmental Assests for Adolescents:
http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18

40 Developmental Assest for Middle Childhood
http://www.search-institute.org/40-developmental-asset-middle-childhood-8-12