Has the information behavior of children and youth changed significantly
over the last two decades? The Information Behavior of a New Generation:
Children and Teens in the 21st Century attempts to answer this question
from a variety of viewpoints. Thirteen researchers from educational
psychology, computer science, education, and information studies have
contributed to eleven chapters on models of information behavior, the
cognitive development of youth, information literacy, everyday
information behavior, cyber-bullying, gaming in virtual environments,
learning labs, social networks, intellectual disabilities, and current
and future systems. Whether they are referred to as digital natives, the
Google-generation, or generation M, today's youth are active consumers
and avid producers of digital information. Smart phones are the new
generation's communication tools, social networks are their interaction
venues, and virtual environments are their new playgrounds. This new
digital communication era has prompted researchers from a variety of
disciplines to contribute to this book on the information behavior of
children and teens. One of the many conclusions that may be drawn from
the chapters in the book is that information behavior is a multifaceted
phenomenon, evolving alongside the rapid developments in information and
communication technologies. The new generation tends to multitask,
managing many activities simultaneously, such as scanning for and
skimming information, texting brief messages, and posting audio and
visual information on social media. While children and teens are tech
savvy, they lack certain information and media literacy skills essential
in today's digital environment. For researchers, the authors pose
questions for further investigation in the hope that innovative services
will be offered and novel systems will be developed to help the new
generation. For teachers and information professionals, the authors
provide a broad background to assist them with a more in-depth and
thorough understanding and appreciation of children's and teens'
information behavior.
