Web Does Promote Connectedness

An article on the PsychCentral website summaries a recent study on teens and the internet. While 1990s internet use was characterized by interactions with strangers in chat rooms, 21st century teens "nurture their existing relationships" online.

On Taking New Media Seriously

The Shifted Librarian (Jenny) writes here of a recent occasion when she acted as a bridge between generations. The gist: someone posted a call for a change on a blog; some criticized him for not using more "proper" channels. At first, Jenny writes, she agreed with that latter point, but then she saw how the blog comment spark more comments, and change happened: "writing a blog post these days is a pretty high level of engagement," and is certainly worth attention. She sums up:

lesson from these recent experiences is that it’s important for associations (and libraries) to understand that every blog post, every tweet, every FF comment is like a letter to the editor or someone standing up in a membership meeting and voicing a complaint. They’re the 21st century equivalent of a phone call or a conversation in the hallway at a conference, and we have to take them just as seriously and respond to them the same way we would those 20th century methods of communication.

I agree. I bet I'd hear from lots more teens if they could approach me electronically instead of (scary!) in person.