Youth Culture, Youth Practices & Gaps and Genres in Participation by Henry Jenkins, danah boyd, and Mimi Ito

     

Chapter Two opens with danah boyd guiding us through youth culture and practices, focusing on a discussion of today’s youths alleged sophistication with technologies. The title associated with our teens, “digital natives” may be true in that they are growing up in a world where computers and media are the norm. That does not mean all teens have the same exposure or availability of devices. Also, separating youth from the rest of society, and firing that distinction through media, is reminiscent of my younger days and the dreaded “Generation Gap.” Next we may be referring to anyone over twenty-something as “The Establishment”, so watch out world; history often repeats itself. 

The primary reason people older than these “digital natives” are unfamiliar with computers is because they don’t want to learn how to use them. Many people older than me (and I am not a spring chicken) are far more computer savvy than me, because they either have time, or make time, to navigate the net and then freely communicate online. It is all a matter of choice, asking questions, and trying something new, whether you are a tween, teen, or a senior citizen.

    The history of teenagers and their novelty as a targeted group is fascinating and something I have researched before. Marketing strategies for all ages from babies through teens is still relatively new and a growing source of income for many types of business. The availability of internet to most young people lends credence to the concept that teens are growing up with these technologies. In truth, my eight year-old grandchildren can both play games on a tablet or computer far more easily than I can; even the four year-old can operate a child’s version of a tablet loaded with learning games and songs. That indicates there is some truth to these statements. But there are specific areas of these technologies more appealing to youth culture, involving teens and tweens more directly, and these often span both teens and their parents (and even grandparents. Mimi, danah, and Henry are understandably concerned with the growth and reach of internet culture.

They recognize the ways social media provide forums for youth to express themselves and acquire that sense of autonomy all teens desire. Henry reminisces about the limitations in schools on software, particularly gaming, that he witnessed with his sons. Nobody recognized the potential of these games to spawn creativity in youths. I enjoyed all three authors, but found myself relating easily to Henry; perhaps his voice sounded the most experienced. I especially enjoyed the reflections of both Henry and danah on their high school experiences; these reminded me of many of my feelings during my high school years. My best friend moved to Massachusetts, so internet would have been a delight; instead we only had long distance calls and long-awaited visits. One positive outcome was my autonomy and feelings of independence on those visits, to make new friends, and gain different perspectives. It was limited but if teens can now explore such things online, and learn from those experiences, that is a very rich outcome. I, naturally, wanted to move to where I met wonderful new people, was with my best friend and her family (where I felt the happiest) and had fun becoming the Debbie I wanted the world to see. I also loved my parents and friends at home in Weehawken, and was not actually going anywhere! But the ability to “find myself” (note: this was a big thing in the 1970’s) became available by being away from the familiar.

 I believe, that teens exploring online communities and social media can find these same possibilities without traveling away from home. It can be the best of both worlds if used and not abused. I enjoyed danah’s escape for that reason—she needed the getaway from her small town and found it online. Which presents the question of stranger-danger; as a parent, those possibilities frightened me when my kids were younger and still do. I knew people who pursued friendships through chat rooms and there were, and probably still are, some unsavory characters out there. Precautions must be observed and enforced, but online communities offer many benefits, particularly to teens. As Henry says: “Young people do not need adults snooping over their shoulders but they do need people who can watch their backs” (52).

“Gaps and Genres in Participation” starts with Mimi leading the discussion, illustrating the differences in opportunities for internet access depending on economics and culture. The narrow difference in participatory politics among all races is an encouraging sign for young people in general. As danah points out, usually the politics that are “noticed” are those of middle-class, privileged kids, and not the efforts of the poor or working class teens. The goal is to close that gap with” well-positioned policies and educational interventions” (73). The discussion of Muslim youth and their struggle to have a voice is discussed by Henry; in lieu of recent events, that process sadly faces an ever-widening gap. Teens have always gone to great lengths to thwart any restrictions placed on them; when danah began to discuss this topic, I wondered how she knew my kids…As she talks about T-Mobile, Sidekick and the pre-pay option, I was convinced she knew my older son. He could not afford an iPhone back then, but always had to have the newest gadgets and the connectivity that went with them.

Mimi’s observation through the Digital Youth Project that: ”lower income teens…had more autonomy, ingenuity, and resourcefulness” (77) seems very true to form. Having worked with so many students doing shows in two very different areas, and watching my own kids and their friends, it does seem the kids with less often take on and show more responsibility. However, as danah states: ”Knowledge and skills matter little when you don’t have the social connections to open doors to opportunities” (77). She refers to the story involving the young man whose gang photos on a MySpace account, probably to fit in and stay safe in his community, jeopardized his entrance to college, and ticket out of that society. Looking at his situation illustrates one way connected learning should help kids improve their online status and connect to things that will benefit their future goals. This type of learning, and these skills are essential to future success, both personally and professionally, for all young people.