Technology

 

 

The adoption and spread of cell phones in the early 1990s has been attributed to use by youth (Castells, 2006). Teens and young adults throughout Europe, the United States, Asia (Castells), and Brazil (Nielsen, 2009) have the highest rates of cell phone usage as compared to all other age groups. Near the end of 2007, the Worldwatch Institute estimated that there were 70 cell phone subscribers for every 100 residents of the United States (Chafe, 2007). More than 80% of all households in America have at least one cell phone; among households with married couples, 57% of children ages 7 to 17 have access to their own cell phone (Kennedy, Smith, Wells, & Wellman, 2008). Among younger populations, sending text messages on cell phones appears to be one of the most prevalent forms of communication. Sixty percent of 18- to 29-year-olds indicate that they send or receive texts every day (Horrigan, 2008). While this is not the adolescent cohort, it is likely that adolescent text messages rates are higher. Data indicate that the proportion of people who text daily nearly doubles with each decrease in an age group (Horrigan, 2008).

 

As with cell phones, social networking sites (SNS) are quickly becoming a pervasive part of American culture (boyd & Ellison, 2007). Preliminary data from early 2009 indicate that the use of social networking sites is expanding more significantly than any other online modality, including e-mail (Nielsen, 2009). Over half of all on-line American adolescents, ages 12 to 17, use some form of SNS (Lenhart & Madden, 2007). In a study of 18- to 19-year-old college students, 88% reported using a social networking site (Hargatti, 2008). Ninety-one percent of teenagers who use SNS use them to stay in touch with friends who they frequently see. Almost half of teens reported using SNS to make new friends, while 72% use SNS to make plans with their current friends (Lenhart & Madden, 2007). These numbers reflect the idea that while teens use SNS to find new friends, teens primarily use SNS to strengthen existing networks. These strengthened networks can easily translate into strong advocacy networks when used in an appropriate way.

 

Raynes-Goldie and Walker (2008) note that for social change to occur advocates need the following: information, people, and tools. Technology, including cell phones and SNS, can provide advocates access to these resources. Use of technology appears to cross ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries (Horrigan, 2008; Lenhart, 2009). Therefore, it appears that technologies are a viable means to engage youth in civic affairs and advocacy to address social determinants which may lead to a reduction in health disparities. Technology makes it easy for people to participate. It also lowers the nonfinancial costs, improves the quality of participation, and increases the types of advocacy activities in which they engage (Delli Carpini, 2000). These technologies also engage the individual's social networks

 

Mobile technologies include communication devices that use wireless technology to send information or communication across distances to other devices. Cell phones are, perhaps, the most common mobile devices. Cell phones can transmit voice data, text data, also known as short message services (SMS) or text messaging (i.e., up to 160 characters sent from one mobile telephone to another) and audio or video data, known as multimedia services (MMS), (i.e., audio, pictures and video images). Cell phones are increasingly being used to send text messages, take photographs, play games, record and watch videos, and play music (Horrigan, 2008).

 

In addition, using wireless signals, Internet access is available through web-enabled cell phones. This connectivity allows for sending e-mails, browsing websites, accessing SNS, and receiving updates from websites and blogs through RSS feeds. In 2008, 40 million Americans used their phones to access the web (Critical Mass, 2008) and the number of people who accessed their SNS using a mobile device increased 260% (Nielsen, 2009). These mobile phone capabilities, from the most basic voice call to a technologically complex video, represent the future of communication.

 

People have been communicating through online discussion groups, message boards, and listservs since the early 1980s (Grier & Campbell, 2000). These programs were associated primarily with companies or social organizations (Grier & Campbell). The development of SNS has allowed a shift in focus from organization-based communication to individual interpersonal communication, among all age groups, but particularly younger people. SNS were specifically designed to help people make and keep connections with others who have similar interests (boyd & Ellison, 2008).

 

There are several different SNS. Facebook claims 200 million active users and estimate that their users spend 3.5 billion minutes on Facebook daily (Facebook, 2009). MySpace, another SNS, purports to have 184 million users, and Friendster, 50 million users (5 facts about social networking sites, 2008). In addition to Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster there are at least 130 other SNS (List of social networking websites, 2009). These range from SNS with broad target audiences to narrow target populations, such as an SNS for people interested in hospitality at home and abroad (The Hospitality Club, 2006).

 

SNS have multiple ways for friends to communicate with each other. These options include walls, comments, groups, forums, and private messages. For instance, MySpace allows for people to write on others' profile pages in the comments section. Similarly, on Facebook a person can write on someone else's wall–a space connected to the person's personal profile. Any friend on Facebook can read any comment or wall post. Users can send each other private messages, which are just like e-mails.

 

All SNS allow people to join groups and participate in forums discussing various topics. SNS groups can be either public, meaning anyone can join, or private, meaning an invitation is required. Once a group member, the person is immediately connected to a network of people who feel passionately about the issue, who are easily accessible, and easily mobilized. Group members share recent news, give encouragement, share pictures and videos, and express opinions.

 

SNS also allow for creating events and sending personal or group invitations to an event. The event invitation indicates the event description, date, time, location, and contact person. With event invitations, people can respond with a RSVP, letting the organizer know in advance how many people will attend.