ABSTRACT
Teenagers in the United States are rapidly adopting emerging digital technologies, around which they create complex social practices, such as instant messaging, text messaging, and online video gaming (Kaiser Family Foundation & San Jose Mercury News, 2003; Lenhart, Ramie, & Lewis, 2001). Embedded in these online social practices are technologically-mediated conversations in which teens explore their identities, gain information, develop cybercultures, create communication styles and patterns, and learn socialization skills.
