IM-ing's 'like candy'

"Finish your homework before you can IM" is an increasingly common rule in many households that include tweens and teens. Because "the first thing many teens do at home is get to the computer, connect to the Internet, and check their buddy list" to see who's online, reports the San Diego Union Tribune. Then they're hooked - they could be IM-ing for hours. Also, the size of one's buddy list is becoming a status symbol. But ultimately "what makes instant messaging cool among teenagers is 'presence,' the idea that there's always someone out there available to talk with," the Union Tribune adds in a very readable update on the instant-messaging phenomenon (note that word "presence" - I'm seeing it more and more in ref to online communications). Another really interesting insight comes from a 17-year-old girl quoted in the article as say, "Instant-messaging becomes less important when you become more comfortable with who you are." As for younger IM-ers (it usually starts at around 6th grade), the article quotes one baby-boomer dad as saying that, to his 11-year-old son, IM-ing is "like candy." My own 6th-grader has told me that, basically. It's pure fluff that he said he'll be sick of pretty soon. I think he means it, but I'm not holding my breath. How about you? Email me your kids' views on IM-ing (and your rules and other ways of dealing with it). Or post just below by clicking on "comments." I love hearing from you.