XplanaZine

A recent article in Time Magazine pointed out that most kids today are completely wired. And, while my generation spends about the same time as we always have on electronic things, we tend to multi-task as we do so. I can watch television, talk on the phone, instant message, and sometimes read a book all at the same time. Contrary to popular adult opinion, however, not all children and teenagers do this. But it is fairly common.Here’s how the multitasking tends to work. Most of the time, if I’m online I’m there to IM (instant message) and all the other things going on around me are really secondary. I only do other things when I’m waiting for a slow typing friend to respond. If I get a good rhythm going which a bunch of separate IM conversations at once, the slow typers don’t cause me to look around for something else to do.

Instant messaging has swept through the wired world and it represents the primary communication option for many teens. I have the option of using AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, or MSN Messenger on my cell phone. To some teens it simply offers the option of chatting with friends while not using cell phone minutes or tying up the house phone line. To the shy it offers a way of socializing and talking more impersonally, with time to calculate what they should say (personally, I just don’t like phones and I type better than I speak).

One of the things that seems to make adults uncomfortable with IMing is that, with this more impersonal form of socialization, there are no rules. Every person gets to make up her/his own rules for how they do it. Some people prefer to use abbreviated speech like substituting “u” for “you” and “brb” for “be right back,” and some people choose to spell out every word and actually use correct grammar. Grammar Nazis are fairly annoying as are the middle schoolers and freshmen that tend to shorten everything. If you’re learning how to instant message, the best way to go is to spell out words, but use phrases like “brb” and “btw” to save time and space. However, only use widely known phrases and don’t attempt to make up your own. My friend once tried to start the phrase “tamml”(that actually made me laugh). That didn’t work out for him very well and it just ended up being something that we make fun of him for.

For adults there is online dating, but as a rule teenagers should keep the whole the online dating off the internet. If you’re thinking of asking someone out on a date via the internet, please don’t. The girl will probably be angry and, even if she likes you, she’ll say no because you were a coward and wouldn’t ask her out face to face. I’ve been asked out online twice, and both times I said no for that very reason. A warning for girls as well — even if you don’t want to deal with a boy face to face, do not break up with him online. It’s rude. Being broken up with through email or instant messaging is just degrading. Take the effort and do it in person, or at least over the phone.

Those are just a few things to keep in mind the next time you instant message. If you’re looking for something more entertaining to do with IM than just chat, I leave you with this fun idea. Create a new screen name that none of your friends know about, and “punk” them. Its fairly easy. Just pretend to be someone else, or refuse to give your name. It will keep them guessing and even make them paranoid. Just don’t take it too far. My friends punked me like that once and saved the conversation and posted it on a xanga. While it was mildly embarrassing, the hilarity of it outweighs the humility.

In case you’re one of the multi-tasking people who is currently reading this while IMing, have fun and remember not to be a complete idiot.