The Center For Internet Research just completed an online survey. While the results are preliminary the trends are clear and as follows: * Links to the survey form were sent via email to 2000 Colorado teens between 14 and 18 * 1,000 were in rural settings and 1,000 were urban * 1,123 people responded * 610 rural kids responded (insignificant gender differences) * 515 urban kids responded (insignificant gender differences) * All respondents reported that they participated in some sort of real-time chatting * All reported that they did so while doing other tasks (homework etc.) * All reported that they preferred this form of communication rather than telephone * All reported that they spent more time chatting online or emailing than they spent in f2f activities * All reported that they downloaded music at some time * All reported that they share music, links data, and homework with their friends * All reported that they valued technical skills of their peers and it appears that kids who help them keep their devices working had certain status * All reported that they did not perceive a peer to peer negative reaction related to computer use or skills * All reported that kids who did not use these devices were seen as odd or different. (stigma) These results have not been analyzed in depth and have not been published. I anyone can point me to current research that seem to contradict these results, please do so. (last 2 years). I would also be interested in studies that deal with the non-connected population. We intend to do this same study in 3 other states before we publish (East, Mid-west, Coastal West). At that time methods will be revealed. Reid Cornwell _____ Dr. W. Reid Cornwell The Center For Internet Research P.O. Box 6369 Breckenridge, CO 720.212.0719 (phone) 970.485.5109 (mobile) <mailto:wrc@tcfir.org> wrc@tcfir.org http://tcfir.org