This is a great article that I came across (actually a friend of mine sent it to me). I encourage you to read it (especially if you have teenagers!)
“Screenagers”
What You Can Do to Penetrate Their Hearts
Dr. Tim Elmore / www.GrowingLeaders.com
Several months ago, we hosted another focus group of students (ages 16-24) and asked them: What are your preferred methods of communication? We thought it was a good question. After all, we’re all about trying to connect with this Millennial generation–so we thought we’d ask just how they wanted to receive our messages. Their response shouldn’t have surprised us.
Their top eight methods of communication are:
|
1. Text messaging |
5. Cell phone |
I want you to notice a few things about this list. First, note that email is last on the list. One student described email as “a way to communicate with older people.” Second, with one exception, this list moves from more personal to less personal in nature. They want something customized not generic if they’re going to pay attention. Third, and most importantly, these students prefer a “screen” for six out of their top eight favorite methods of communication.
The Screen Age
Every generation shares common characteristics. However, each generation is defined by some shared elements in their developmental years. The primary elements that define a generation are:
|
1. Shared Music |
4. Shared Television Programs |
Today, the delivery of almost every one of these elements share one thing in common–they are driven by a screen. Call me the master of the obvious, but students want to interact with a screen. In fact, we’ve begun to call students “screenagers” because they are more at home in front of a screen than watching a talking head on a stage. They want a personal message, but want to control how intimate and vulnerable they become. They like the option of signing off when they wish.
The fact that text messaging landed at number one on the list tells us a lot about students today. Bear with me as I venture some observations about why text messages are the preferred method of communication:
1. Text messages represent very current communication.
More so than voicemails, a text means I need to interact now about something relevant to you.
2. Text messages are generally sent from someone you know.
Unlike phones, you generally don’t get a “wrong number” or generic call on a text message.
3. Text messages are brief and to the point.
The person texting doesn’t waste words; in fact, they usually abbreviate the message.
4. Text messaging is in your control. The receiver can stop when they want to.
This kind of control is attractive to students today. They want communication on their terms.
Students today are inundated with messages, from every side. I believe they’re most likely to respond to a text message because it allows them fast, current, relevant communication with friends–but at a safe distance. They like intimacy without a lot of vulnerability. It sounds like a paradox and perhaps it is. I believe this is but one of several paradoxes that exist among Generation Y. Consider this. This is the first generation who does not need authorities to access information. Why? They have screens. However, they do need authorities, like you and I, to help them process that information. We can interpret it for them. This is our challenge.
That’s what an event called “Screenagers” is about. This summer, “Growing Leaders” is teaming up with Chick-fil-A to host a National Leadership Forum. Our theme: Screenagers–Equipping and Unleashing Generation Y.” We’re going to wrestle with these very issues. We would love to have you bring some team members and join us for an interactive two days, June 26-27, 2008.
This will be the most significant event we have hosted to date. We’ll hear from author and futurist, Dr. Leonard Sweet; Paul Litten, founding partner of Leadership Forward; two Chick-fil-a executives, and myself. We will unpack the latest research on this generation, then interpret it and provide an interactive time to develop a plan to reach the hearts of this new generation.
This is an intimate gathering with limited space, held at Chick-fil-A Corporate Headquarters. If you’d like to join us, you can register now on our website: www.GrowingLeaders.com/NLF08 .
This basically means that a student would rather read a book than send or receive an email!
Looks like I’m just one more old person looking to reach the “younger” crowd!
Interesting that books and DVDs/CDs (uni-directional methods of communication) come before email (dual-directional). Maybe we need to start texting the Bible to students.
Screen interaction is definitely less awkward and confrotational, which is what it seems like more and more people can’t deal with. That’s what frustrates me about the screen revolution, but I guess we have to embrace it.
Students are definitely looking for something cool and unique in how they are communicated to. That’s why I think ARG could be beneficial. I’ll get that article to you soon.
As a parent and a teacher of adolescents in middle and high school, this is an important perspective. I received a link to this information through Pioneer RESA’s online course titled, “Let’s Google.” I teach introductory business apps.
I am not sure that cell phone conversations fall into the category of screen usage. The fact that two people TALKING falls in the middle of the list gives me some hope that Gen Y will be able to learn empathy, compassion and listening skills, that human conversation is still something they seek from time to time.
The issue with the screenager, screen dependent communication mode of texting, messaging, MySpacing and Facebooking, is that it is under the radar, quiet and unable to be readily monitored. Too many secrets can be held, and in many cases, about 80% of those closed conversations are inappropriate. The lack of real human presence offers the opportunity for young people to try on different, alternative personas, and push the edge of the envelope. We deal with the consequences and fall out of these kinds of communications daily at school.
Texting, messaging, MySpace and Facebook are to me, like passing notes. The circle can become too tight, the vision and horizon too limited. It begins to become so narcissistic, so self-centered and at times, destructive to positive growth and development.
The car was the apparatus that allowed teens from the 50′s forward to the turn of the century to ride out from under parental supervision. But phone conversations were usually heard in the family room.
Music on iPods and podcasting can also isolate participants from the community and family around them.
I appreciate what you’re saying about the preferences, and I’d like to see more parental counseling and guidance about what types of communication technology are 1) truly necessary, and 2) age-appropriate, as educators struggle to meet this new mandate on communication modes.
I can’t begin to fathom how I can implement strategies that would engage each of my 160 students in this way to try and capture their attention and meet the rigorous standards employed by the state of Georgia.
I am at a juncture where I believe parenting and decision making about these gadgets has severely undermined the mission of public education. Seems we always employ technology first, and then in hindsight, begin to evaluate the ethical and moral impact of them only after the dominoes have fallen.
Pingback: Going Where Students Are « A Life Worth Losing