There’s an interesting story by Richard Sarson over at the Guardian in which he interviews children about their internet usage and the role technology plays in their lives. They might not be a terribly representative sample, but it does confirm what we have been saying for some time - children are much more able to manage the balance of technology in their lives than many adults think. Yes, they use it more and use the internet more, but that’s only because it’s more familiar. The current generation of baby boomers probably watch more TV than their children (because their children spend more time watching YouTube) and they certainly watch more than their parents did.

Some choice quotes:

James Downey, aged 12. James epitomises how kids use computers. A year ago, he mostly used his for homework. This year, though, he is heavily into iTunes, Bebo and YouTube. And he used the web to research getting a dog. “Fed up that my parents wouldn’t get their act together, I searched the internet for the right breed at the right price.” For him, “the computer has become the best place to find information of any sort”. Social networking

Is James typical? I asked Josh, aged 13, whether he used Bebo or MySpace. “Oh, you mean social networking,” he said. How about YouTube, I asked? “That’s not social networking, that’s user-generated content,” he snapped back.

Clearly he had no trouble understanding the phenomenon that has swept the world in the past two years. He could also explain why his generation’s use of technology such as iPods, games players and mobile phones with built-in cameras and video - is fundamentally different from those over 30 or 40.

It’s too easy for adults to look at what they don’t understand and dismiss it and worry about it. But rather than trying to steer their children towards what they see as more ‘worthy’ pastimes, it’s important instead that they try and understand these technologies. And there’s a lot to learn from the way children use technology, both for designers and educators. Consider this:

Broadly, Josh, Anna and James all use similar sites and programs in similar ways: their favourite sites are MySpace, Bebo, MSN, YouTube, the iTunes Store and they play World of Warcraft. Why one rather than another? Because “their friends are on there already”; loyalty can shift en masse. They do like sites to be easy to use. Josh prefers Bebo because he finds MySpace “fiddly”.

He also admits that he and his mates play multi-user online games in class during boring lessons when the teacher isn’t looking.

If your educational content and delivery is that boring, you need to take a look at it. That doesn’t mean you have to make it all bells and whistles and techno. Sometimes the most engaging lessons are simply from someone knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subject. Often the pressure to work to proscribed outlines, structures and templates can suck the life out of teaching. Whatever you do, don’t make a rap. You’ll always look stupid.

Coincidentally I happened to read Carol Orsborn’s Change This manifesto called Turning the Generational Dial: A Plea to Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y just after the Guardian piece. It’s a bit of a boomer apology, but she also has some insights into cultural and generational shifts that are pertinent.