This is expected in American culture, indeed, the fact that we speak of generations, as in Generation Y or Generation X, the Greatest Generation, indicates how it is normalized for children to ally with their peers in their social habits and attitudes. Perhaps the most profound difference between this generation and the past generation is the influence of new media upon children's development. The impact of high levels of violence and sexuality on television and how this affects children's attention spans, sense of self, propensity towards shows of aggression, and other aspects of development is still quite contentious. However, there is agreement that more than television or music, the Internet has had the most profound influence upon the current generation of teens.
The new media, as well as exposing teens to new information, music, and influences, also provides a potent source of social connectivity. "Between 75 and 90% of teenagers in the United States use the Internet to email, instant message (IM), visit chat rooms and explore other sites on the World Wide Web" (Willenz, 2006). The new media may thus be the second most profound influence upon teens today, but that is not simply because teens are passive consumers of this media but also because the media helps foster what is already such an important part of adolescent life, namely talking and interacting with friends. Once upon a time, teens had to do this face-to-face, now they can do so by looking at a cell phone 24/7. Today, teens are constantly in contact with their friends, and even speak their own language, the language of IMs and emails. Even young children are becoming consumers of the new media, and the personal yet interactive quality of the Internet means that parents may have less of an influence upon children's behavior than before, as it is difficult to monitor what the children accesses online.
Not all of the influence of the Internet is bad. The Internet can expose children to new influences and ideas. In one recent study of children aged 10-18 years old (83% African-American and 58% male) living in single-parent households (75%) with a $15,000 or less median income, it was found that children...
Internet use had no effect on standardized test scores on math (Willenz 2003). But while the Internet is an important reading and research venue for students, it also makes books and more traditional media less important in student's social lives. Online, students can craft new personas, create identities, and use technology to explore their identity, and television, books, and other sources of entertainment seem less gripping than they did to their parent's generation.
How these profound effects of the new media will be played out in this generation's adult lives, once the current Internet generation reaches maturity, remains to be seen. But evidence strongly suggests that peers and the new media through which individuals are connected to their peers will prove to be more influential than parents or conventional influences of schooling.
Works Cited
Asher, S.R. & Williams, G.A. "Children without friends: The reasons for peer rejection." In Todd, C.M. (Ed.). Day care center connections. 3(1): 3-5. Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, 2003. 3 Dec 2007. http://www.nncc.org/Guidance/dc31_wo.friends2.html
Developmental psychology: The peer context." The PSI Cafe. Page Updated 10 Apr 2003. 3 Dec 2007. http://www.psy.pdx.edu/PsiCafe/Areas/Developmental/PeerContext/index.htm
Sleek, Scott. "Blame your peers, not your parents." APA Monitor. 28. Oct 1998.
Dec 2007. http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct98/peers.html
New Insights into School and Classroom Factors Affecting Student Achievement."
Research Brief: Public Policy Institute of California. Issue 76. Aug 2003.
Dec 2007. http://www.hewlett.org/NR/rdonlyres/985FC747-BAB7-4E08-8133-F763472A37C8/0/ppicsandiegobrief.pdf
Willenz, Pam. "Internet use involves both pros and cons." APA Press Release. 2006.
Dec 2007. http://www.apa.org/releases/youthwww0406.html
