Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Kidscreen Day 2 - OMG - teens today

Featuring real teens specially imported to give us their insight, apparently.

And we kick off with the aforementioned real-life teens, singing acappella in a Glee-type way. Digital AND musical. They are too good to be true.



Stacey Matthias from Insight Media will do a 360 overview of teens and media first, and then we're going to hear from the kids themselves.

Teen identities? Very hard to pin down in this demographic. But what's often missed is how much the kid side is present in their lives even as they face the challenges of maturity.

They're developing as individuals while parents and peer groups influence that, too.

Implications for media creators? What's critical to remember is that you can't create a one size fits all character. Consider stories which allow 'safe risk-taking'. High stakes for girls and boys in social situations. At the same time home is huge.

Panellists - yes, the real teens - are introduced and invited to share an object which identifies them.

Sarah, 15 - a notebook (she's a self-proclaimed writer)

Alex, 13 - a longboard (he likes to skate with his friends and the adrenaline which comes with it)

Chanse, 16 - his state championship ring, they went 12 and 0

Jake, 17 - a pitch pipe, as he sings in Passing Notes, the choir we heard at the beginning of the session.

Rachel, 13 - her phone. (obvs)

Nysialisa, 17 - her handbag

Question: What is something about you that your parents don't know, but wish they did?

- How much stress we're under

- That I am trying as hard as I can

- That I'm really smart, even if I don't look it

What age are you most excited to be?

-Three was a good age

- 17 is the year I get to drive

- College ages - 18-22. Because that's when you get to move on and be independent.

Primary strategy in dealing with parents? Rebellion or negotiation?

- A bit of both.

- Always a good reason on both sides; it's about finding the balance

- It's neither. It's the relationship you have with them

Best digital place to reach teens?

Through an app. And it has to be free or 99c.

Games are good - more than social. They talk about the game of the moment - used to be Words with Friends, now Ruzzle.

Happiness or success? Universal response - happiness.

Fake or mean? Again, universally - fake

Facebook, Cracked, Buzzfeed, Netflix - all cited as web favourites

You Tube got them really energised. 'You can get lost in there'

Top favourite brands:

- Apple (they make everything that I need)

- Apple mail app (and they say kids don't use email!)

- Apple again...

- Doc Martens

- Apple. I encountered it through school.

- Ray Lewis and his under-armour

Lightning round:

Instagram or FB - 50/50

No.1 stresser right now: Homework/school/paying for college

Solo date or group date: Solo - 100%

Average number of texts per day: 100, 20, 30, 50+, 150

If you could fly or be invisible, which: Fly x 5, invisible x 1

Fascinating stuff from extremely articulate and self-aware kids.


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