An absolutely essential read, written by a leading expert, for anyone who wants to understand young people's use of social media. "What is new about how teenagers communicate through services such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? Do social media affect the quality of teens' lives? In this eye-opening book, youth culture and technology expert danah boyd uncovers some of the major myths regarding teens' use of social media. She explores tropes about identity, privacy, safety, danger, and bullying. Ultimately, boyd argues that society fails young people when paternalism and protectionism hinder teenagers' ability to become informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens through their online interactions. Yet despite an environment of rampant fear-mongering, boyd finds that teens often find ways to engage and to develop a sense of identity."--Publisher description.

Identity : why do teens seem strange online? --Privacy : why do youth share so publicly? -- Addiction : what makes teens obsessed with social media? -- Danger : are sexual predators lurking everywhere? -- Bullying : is social media amplifying meanness and cruelty? -- Inequality : can social media resolve social divisions? -- Literacy : are today's youth digital natives? -- Searching for a public of their own -- Appendix: Teen demographics.