Tips On Teen (NAPSA)—Today’s teenagers, the first to grow up with the Internet, have quickly madeit an essential part of their lives. They send instant messages rather than call. They get their daily dose of entertainment on the Web instead of on TV. They get help with schoolwork by accessing a wealth of information with just a few mouseclicks. In fact, according to Jupiter Research, more than 18 million young people aged 12 to 17 are online and an AOL/Digital Mar- keting Services study found that more than half of them go online every day. For parents, many of whom still get computer advice from their teen, it can be hard to keep up with the latest online trends. With three million teenage members, America Online's RED service is one of the top online destinations visited by teens. For parents who want to be “in the know” about their teens’ Internet habits, here’s a list of the most popular online activities: Blogs: Blogs, or online journals, are fast becoming fixtures in teens’ lives. It’s a place to express their thoughts and “see and be seen” by their peers. The RED service for teens recently launched RED Blogs which gives teens a variety of cool features to use to personalize blogs. Unlike public blogging sites, it lets parents limit whocan view their teen’s blog. Music: Music has long been an essential part of the teen scene, influencing everything from what they read to what they wear. With fewer music videos on TV, online music has become a popular way to discover and experience the newest music. For example, AOL Music, offers new music videos, commer- The Internet is full of engaging activities for the entire family. cial-free radio, live concerts and exclusive in-studio performances by hot artists such as Lindsay Lohan, Gwen Stefani and Green Day. Games: One of the most popular activities on the Web—notonly among teens but with adults as well. AOL Games and RED offer dozens of free online and downloadable games, as well as tips, cheats, reviews, news andoriginal programming about the latest video games. Comics and Anime: RED service comics and anime includeexclusive content from DC Comics and CrossDen, a daily dose of satire from MAD magazine, cutting-edge Japanese anime and works from up-and-comingillustrators. The award-winning parental controls from AOLlet parents protect their kids while they enjoy all the latest entertainment online. So the next time you’re wondering what your kids are doing online, join in to listen to your favorite band or play a fun game. You can also find your own way to use the Internet by discovering new recipes or sharing family photos.
