Teen Blogging Trends: Really?

by Garrick Jones

I recently stumbled across an article that discussed some trends about teens and their social media practices. Some of these trends I found to be predictable and expected, but others not. In fact, some I found quite difficult to believe. Since it was not too long ago that I myself was a pimply teenager, I should be able to relate... surely?

But moving on, let’s take a look at some of these trends courtesy of Pew:
The trends that I find to be expected include digital images being very important to teens as a means to share with friends and ignite virtual conversations. Similarly, it is not hard to see how email would have lost its appeal to teens when they have a plethora of social networking platforms at their disposal as well as texting and instant messaging.

What I find interesting, but hardly surprising (no disrespect to the lads) is that girls appear to lead the boys in terms of not only contributing to websites, but fuelling growth in the teen blogosphere. [Okay fine, we can handle that can't we boys? Of course we can. But, now here is where it hurts.]

Those teens that are most active online are also highly active offline. Furthermore, these teens are more likely to have jobs. [I don't know how you interpret that, but through my process of thought, it says that men are less active both online and offline. Online? Maybe. Offline? Rubbish. But this is all besides the point. And I suppose as an oke I'm going to have a slightly biased frame of reference. Only slightly.]

Teens from lower-income and single-parent households are more likely to blog. This I find interesting. Although this study was conducted in the US, where technology is far more accessible that it is in SA, I still find it hard to believe that lower-income teens blog more than that of their wealthier counterparts. Surely these teens do not have the same access to technology? And if they do, are they afforded the knowledge, time and resources to contribute more than the wealthy? These are however just my own ponderings. According to the Pew study, wealthy teens are more likely to engage with multimedia web activities.

Other trends include a decrease in the number of teens entering chatrooms and making product purchases online. All these are very interesting, but I am not a hundred percent sold on the accuracy of these findings, but I do stand open to correction.
What does it mean to us as online marketers? I am still trying to work this one out, but it may help us to get a better idea of which teens interact in which ways with the online world…
They're not going to be teens for that much longer after all.

2008/01/09 | permalink | comments (0) | trackbacks (0)

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Anthony on The Democratic Alliance's Online Plan

Thanks for the article Kat, and you were spot-on in response to Shaun: my resources comment was not so much about being able to afford an online presence (most political parties in SA - all the ones you've heard of - have one); it was more about the fact that you need to have the human resources to sustain what you initiate. As an example, we started SA Today in response to ANC Today, and we've sustained it week in and week out (as has the ANC, even if its President has decided not to continue where his predecessor left off). Both the ID and the IFP have started similar initiatives, but they find it difficult to sustain, so it ends up being occasional, rather than weekly.
In response to Nic, providing strong principled opposition and defence of the constitution is a key part of the DA's brand, and one of the key things our supporters and potential supporters want from us. But the second important thing potential DA voters want (most important for many) is for us to offer solutions to the country's problems. We do that through a comprehensive policy platform which is effectively a manifesto of what we undertake to do if elected to government. That doesn't mean we don't recognise the enormity of the challenge ahead of us.
Kat on Can You Put the eMarketing Textbook in the Hands of Someone Who Needs It?

@Hilary, you can actually already order a hard copy directly from the website, just follow this link www.quirk.biz/emarketingtextbook/buy
we'll definitely let you know when it's in book shops as well though :)
@mike Less tree killing is always a good idea. The cd idea is intriguing, and would probably be great for people who have limited connectivity but are keen to learn.
Hilary Cross on Can You Put the eMarketing Textbook in the Hands of Someone Who Needs It?

Hi Kat, please let us know when the hard copy is out, I'd definatley like to purchase one for myself.
Thanks,
Hilary
Mike Metelerkamp on Can You Put the eMarketing Textbook in the Hands of Someone Who Needs It?

Kat, this is proving to be quite a mind bender...
How about creating those mini cd's and trying to get them inserted into some marketing/business/IT text books - or give them to universities to hand out in lectures?
Really cheap and less tree killing :)
Mike
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We do a Friday Fact Box every week, so check back for more useful info, and let me know if there's a particular topic you'd be interested in getting some stats about. ;)

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Teen Blogging Trends: Really?

by Garrick Jones

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