It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens

As more and more teens communicate through popular social media platforms, concerns about their digital privacy, safety, and mental health are becoming ever more audible. But how exactly is social media woven into teens’ lives, and how effective are efforts to “protect” teenage users online? 
 
New America’s Open Technology Institute hosted danah boyd for a discussion of her latest book, It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens. Dispelling common myths and fears, boyd’s groundbreaking book highlights the nuanced ways in which teens use social media to engage with others and develop a sense of self. 
 
Joined by Mary Madden and Amanda Lenhart of Pew Research Center, boyd highlighted key lessons learned from her original fieldwork and extensive hands-on research. Ultimately, we grappled with one of the book’s key questions: when it comes to teens online, which of our fears are unfounded, and which are more complicated?  
 
Join the conversation online using #networkedteens and following @OTI. 

Participants
danah boyd 
Author of It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens
Microsoft Research, Data & Society Research Institute 
@zephoria

Amanda Lenhart 
Senior Researcher, Director of Teens and Technology,
Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project
@Amanda_Lenhart

Mary Madden
Senior Researcher, Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project
@mary_madden