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“That is So Not True”: Adolescent Perspectives of Adult Misconceptions of Teen Text Messaging

Technology and Youth: Growing Up in a Digital World

ISBN: 978-1-78560-265-8, eISBN: 978-1-78560-264-1

Publication date: 24 September 2015

Abstract

Purpose

The authors of this paper sought to qualitatively understand the perceived stereotypes associated with the youth culture surrounding texting.

Methodology

Drawing on responses from 161 high school students and using qualitative methods as outlined by Bogden and Biklen to analyze data, four main themes of perceived adult misconceptions emerged. Adolescents spoke about adults’ general misperceptions about adolescents’ motivations to text, practices associated with texting, the content of their messages, and the impact of texting behaviors on adolescents’ developmental processes.

Findings

The existence of a youth culture that is imperceptible to adults seems evident from these findings. Texting is a primary form of communication for adolescents and, for this sample, enhances face-to-face relationships. Adolescents indicated they have control over their texting choices and behaviors.

Implications

Two common limitations existed in this study. These included using a convenience sample from only one high school, and including only adolescent perspectives. Future research should also examine the parent–child dyad in relationship to texting.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the understanding of social implications of adolescent text messaging and helps to further clarify the youth culture of texting. Although there are media that have been extensively studied in relation to adolescent development, newer media such as social networking and texting need further examination, as they have become definitive components of youth culture.

Keywords

Citation

Tulane, S., Vaterlaus, J.M. and Beckert, T.E. (2015), "“That is So Not True”: Adolescent Perspectives of Adult Misconceptions of Teen Text Messaging", Technology and Youth: Growing Up in a Digital World (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 369-393. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1537-466120150000019013

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015 Emerald Group Publishing Limited