*Way* connected teens

Not just to some abstract thing called "the Net," these teenagers are connected much more specifically. And fluidly, from computer-based IM-ing to phone talking to phone texting. An insightful Los Angeles Times article, "24/7, Teens Get the Message," points to 15-year-old Will, who spends an average of 5.5 hours a day and 10,000 minutes a month on his cell phone. He just leaves the phone on, with a buddy spending "entire days - together, but apart - shopping, snacking, doing homework, and even nodding off to sleep" (thank god for free calling with fellow Cingular, Verizon, etc. users!). Eighteen-year-old Kaleese "spends almost 10 hours a day on the phone" and jokes with the reporter that her cellphone is "a drug." Other highlights: "15-year-old girls are now the world's top consumers of computer chips," according to a semiconductor company's research cited by the Times. The 100+ buddy lists: 13-year-old Ryan's has 110 people on it, "mostly people he sees regularly and all of whom he messages at least occasionally in this rite of bonding overbandwidth." A social necessity, because otherwise he'd miss something in the life of the peer group, which just can't happen, not if you want to be popular. The control piece: As opposed to voice communication, in texting and IM, you can think before you say something - an argument, for some teens, for breaking up with someone online. One 14-year-old with a conscience said she saw online breakups as "a level below face-to-face conversation," but it gives one time to think and reduces the "emotional factor." Has this one come up at your house? Do email me any experiences you and your kids have had with electronically enhanced socializing - and wisdom shared in either direction! (See also "IM anthropology: 11-to-15-year-olds' virtual community.")