It's a kind of digital-age product segmentation or mitosis (remember learning about how cells divide and multiply in biology class?), all the different communication options that have come with the rise of digital media – texting, liking, social gaming, social networking, tweeting, snapchatting, skyping, etc. Each one seems to be associated with a certain level of emotional investment and risk, … [Read more...] about Spreading out emotional risk in digital social spaces
digital technology
Young readers and e-readers: Study
Despite their love for digital technology, 80% of kids and teens who use ebooks "still read primarily print books for fun," a new Scholastic survey of readers aged 6-17 has found. But we are seeing a shift in the way kids read: "58% of 9-to-17-year-olds say they will always want to read books printed on paper, even though there are ebooks available," but that's down from 66% in 2010. Digital books … [Read more...] about Young readers and e-readers: Study
+1 or -1 for Google’s ‘Find My Face’ feature?
More +1 than not but pretty neutral from a parent's perspective. I say that because, if kids are welcomed to Google's new social network service, Google+, they – like everybody else – will have the option to choose whether they want to allow their friends (people in their "Circles") to tag them in photos – the just-announced "Find My Face" feature is opt-in, not provided automatically. People can … [Read more...] about +1 or -1 for Google’s ‘Find My Face’ feature?
Thoughts for a new year (in the digital age)
Why isn't it good for us to be subjecting ourselves to the constant realtime stream of lightly fact-checked "news," talking heads, and the social drama of school or work? Not so much because of findings like those reported this week in The Telegraph, after all media (including radio and TV, not just Facebook and cellphones) were taken away from volunteers for 24 hours – findings that are … [Read more...] about Thoughts for a new year (in the digital age)
Media-loaded brain ‘breaks’: Reality check
Sociality- or media-loaded, digitally enhanced intervals in lines, on the bus, at the gym may not actually be brain breaks after all, and in fact may be depriving us (and our kids) of the kind of down time we and our brains really need. Technology like smart phones, iPods, and Kindles "makes the tiniest windows of time entertaining, and potentially productive," the New York Times reports. "But … [Read more...] about Media-loaded brain ‘breaks’: Reality check