Is the notion of online social activity as "not real" a generational issue - are we now the generation that doesnt adequately understand that generation?
and how might we re-define notions of digital divide considering all this?
This is an interesting question, Radhika -- one I've been working on in one configuration or another for about a decade. Re. Facebook: The students I have informally interviewed have described an interesting twist in what you and others here are finding. The most recent student I spoke with, a 20 year-old junior, explained to me that his "life is going much better since he's backed off myspace." Of course, I found this comment wildly interesting and pursued it further. He explained that he had spent so much time in front of the computer screen for the past two years that he didn't realize how addicted he was to relationships that "weren't real." Said he was happy to get out again and see people in person. When I asked about the rest of his friends he explained that most of them are still stuck "talking" via computer screen. He's enjoying getting out, playing music, meeting for coffee at starbucks, etc.... Sounds just like our generation. (Sorry, I'm a boomer. It's boomer mentality to think "our" means "mine." :-) Love the discussion! Thanks, Stephanie Bennett