Jim Liebelt's Youth Culture Watch

What's Hot? 7/30/10

Top 10 Increasing Web Searches on Bing - 7/30/10
   1. melinda dennehy photos
   2. maury chaykin
   3. damon thomas
   4. wikileaks
   5. newegg
   6. jack tatum
   7. darryl stingley
   8. facebooklogin
   9. linda hogan
  10. ansel adams
Source: Bing

Top 10 U.S. Websites - 7/30/10
   1. Google
   2. Facebook
   3. Yahoo!
   4. YouTube
   5. Amazon
   6. Wikipedia
   7. Twitter (+1)
   8. Craigslist (-1)
   9. eBay
  10. Windows Live
Source: Alexa

iTunes Top 10 Downloaded Songs - 7/30/10
   1. Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna) - Eminem
   2. Dynamite - Taio Cruz
   3. I Like It (feat. Pitbull) - Enrique Iglesias
   4. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
   5. DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (feat. Pitbull) - Usher
   6. California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Katy Perry
   7. Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner
   8. Ridin' Solo - Jason Derulo
   9. Airplanes (feat. Hayley Williams) - B.o.B
  10. Stuck Like Glue - Sugarland
Source: Apple iTunes

Top 10 TV Shows in Prime Time - Week Ending 7/25/10
   1. America's Got Talent - Tue
   2. The Bachelorette
   3. America's Got Talent - Wed
   4. NCIS
   5. Wipeout - Tue
   6. Wipeout - Wed
   7. The Big Bang Theory
   8. 60 Minutes
   9. Two and a Half Men
  10. The Mentalist
Source: Nielsen Co

Top 5 Most Viewed Videos on YouTube - Week Ending 7/30/10
   1. StarCraft II - Ghosts of the Past Trailer
   2. What Passes for Excitement at an Orioles Game
   3. Gay! Gay! Gay!
   4. Batman!!!
   5. Flying Donkey Shocks Beachgoers
Source: YouTube

Top 5 Movies - Week Ending 7/22/10
   1. Inception
   2. Despicable Me
   3. The Sorcerer's Apprentice
   4. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
   5. Toy Story 3
Source: Box Office Mojo

Spice It Up

The Old Spice campaign has certainly garnered a lot of attention. It's likely you've probably seen at least one of these ads on TV, YouTube or Facebook. But did the campaign work? Yes!

The four main Mustafa commercials that have run since February have been watched more than 30 million times on YouTube. Old Spice now has more than 90,000 Twitter followers and more than 675,000 Facebook fans, with fan interaction climbing 800 percent, according to P&G, in the week following the real-time push.

"It's a record-breaking campaign for social media," says Matt Cutler, CMO of Visible Measures, which estimates total brand Web views to have exceeded 110 million. "It's by far the largest we've seen. It's not just approaching but surpassing the reach of traditional broadcast."

Moorhead says the campaign has received more than 1 billion media impressions. But has all the talk and online traffic translated to sales?

According to Nielsen data provided by Old Spice, overall sales for Old Spice body-wash products are up 11 percent in the last 12 months; up 27 percent in the last six months; up 55 percent in the last three months; and in the last month, with two new TV spots and the online response videos, up a whopping 107 percent.

Source: Adweek
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i3639278d2189e4efd2b8ab7d46542e93?pn=2

ADHD Teens More Likely to Drop Out

Having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder may make teens less likely to finish high school, says a new University of California, Davis study.

The study found almost a third of students with ADHD, don't graduate with their peers. That's high compared with the national high school drop out rate of 15 percent, says  lead study author Dr. Joshua Breslau.

When looking at the different types of ADHD, the study found all of the types of ADHD are associated with a high dropout rate.

The study also found students who use alcohol, smoke cigarettes and use other drugs are more at risk to drop out.

Researchers say parents need to make sure they are working together with their schools so that the pediatrician and the child's teacher are communicating about the child's medical health and performance in school.    "We need to better integrate school health with what's schools do, education," says Breslau.

Source: CNN
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/28/adhd-teens-more-likely-to-drop-out/

Energy Drinks Pose Serious Health Risk to Kids

A critical editorial published by Canada’s leading medical journal is the latest move a mounting effort to convince the Canadian government to crack down on the sale of caffeinated energy drinks to minors.

Energy drinks that contain high amounts of caffeine – some more than five times the amount in a can of cola, or nearly double the amount in a cup of brewed coffee – can pose serious health risks to children and adolescents and require stronger warning labels, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal’s editorial.

Chris Turner, Health Canada’s director-general of the marketed health products directorate, said the department has received several dozen reports of adverse reactions linked to energy drinks, and that 15 of them were cardiac events.

Unlike cola drinks or similar carbonated beverages, energy drinks usually contain much higher levels of caffeine. For instance, a 250-ml (approx. 8 oz.) bottle of Coca-Cola contains 26 milligrams of caffeine, according to the company’s web site. But a 75-ml (approx. 2.5 oz.) bottle of Rockstar “energy shot” contains 200 mg of caffeine. A 355-ml (approx. 12 oz.) can of Red Bull contains 113.6 mg of caffeine.

Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to irritability, loss of sleep or nervousness. But there is also concern that its stimulating effects can cause rapid heat rate, an abnormal rhythm or other problems that could have serious health consequences.

Source: The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/energy-drinks-pose-serious-health-risk-to-kids-canadian-medical-journal/article1652080/

In Adolescence, Happier Often Means Healthier

Teens with sunnier outlooks also tend to be healthier, a new study finds.

University of South Florida researchers found that teens' positive emotions and moods, as well as their satisfaction with life, may be more important than either anxiety or depression levels for predicting physical health.

Overall, there appeared to be a strong link between good physical health and life satisfaction and recently feeling excited, strong and proud. Poorer health was associated with feeling lonelier, feeling more guilty, anxious and depressed, and being more likely to display negative behaviors.

The findings, recently published online in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, show the importance of emotional well-being on adolescents' physical health, the study authors said.

Source: U.S. News & World Report
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/07/23/in-adolescence-happier-often-means-healthier.html

What's Hot? 7/23/10

Top 10 Increasing Web Searches on Bing - 7/23/10
   1. lindsey lohan
   2. bachelorette
   3. american eagle outfitters
   4. tahiti
   5. inception
   6. unemployment extension 2010
   7. naomi watts
   8. black couple has white baby
   9. best buy electronics
  10. josh white songs
Source: Bing

Top 10 U.S. Websites - 7/23/10
   1. Google
   2. Facebook
   3. Yahoo!
   4. YouTube
   5. Amazon
   6. Wikipedia
   7. Craigslist
   8. Twitter
   9. eBay
  10. Windows Live
Source: Alexa

iTunes Top 10 Downloaded Songs - 7/23/10
   1. Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna) - Eminem
   2. Dynamite - Taio Cruz
   3. I Like It (feat. Pitbull) - Enrique Iglesias
   4. California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Katy Perry
   5. Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner
   6. Ridin' Solo - Jason Derulo
   7. Airplanes (feat. Hayley Williams) - B.o.B
   8. Billionaire (feat. Bruno Mars) - Travie McCoy
   9. Not Afraid - Eminem
  10. OMG (feat. will.i.am) - Usher
Source: Apple iTunes

Top 10 TV Shows in Prime Time - Week Ending 7/18/10
   1. Fox MLB All-Star Game
   2. America's Got Talent - Tue
   3. NCIS
   4. America's Got Talent - Wed
   5. The Bachelorette
   6. Fox MLB All-Star Pregame
   7. NCIS: Los Angeles
   8. 60 Minutes
   9. The Big Bang Theory
  10. Two and a Half Men
Source: Nielsen Co

Top 5 Most Viewed Videos on YouTube - Week Ending 7/23/10
   1. Ne-Yo Champagne Life
   2. Re: Everyone / Old Spice
   3. Annoying Orange: Teenage Mutant Ninja Apples
   4. Pink Accident - Nurnberg 15.07.2010
   5. Miguel Angel Jimenez Amazing
Source: YouTube

Top 5 Movies - Week Ending 7/15/10
   1. Despicable Me
   2. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
   3. Predators
   4. Toy Story 3
   5. Grown Ups
Source: Box Office Mojo

Teen Swaps Old Cell Phone for Porsche

A California teenager demonstrates that in today's culture, persistence can be more valuable than money...

Seventeen-year-old Steven Ortiz is fairly sure he is the only student at Charter Oak High School who drives a convertible Porsche to school.

And, to the surprise of some of his friends, it doesn't belong to his parents.

Steven started with an old cell phone and eventually traded up to his impressive ride.

It didn't happen overnight, but with the help of the Craigslist website and a lot of patience, Steven made 14 online swaps over two years to get his 2000 Porsche Boxster S.

Steven is part of a growing number of people who use the barter section of Craigslist to unload unwanted items and acquire desired goods, rather than just buying and selling them.

But he does more than just make a casual posting to swap concert tickets or an old bike. He spends five to six hours a day on his i-Phone scouring the website for good deals.

The teen said most of the people he trades with aren't after something for nothing.

They are simply looking to get rid of an item they don't need in exchange for something they do. And they often can get a better deal than if they sold the item for cash.

Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_15533701

Three Predictions About Generation Z

In 2010, Gen X, the group defined as having graduated high school around the turn of the millennium, might as well be considered over the hill. Likewise, Gen Yers are slowly growing up and out of their "teen" phase, paving the way for tweens to take the crown. Increasingly, pre-teens of today are becoming more savvy and in tune with behaviors and preferences normally reserved for teens.

So what is this generation -- chronologically called by the name "Generation Z" -- going to look like? Here are three predictions:

1. Sorry, Kindle, Gen Zers are iPad enthusiasts.
The iPad has been the breakthrough device of the year. One could argue that the iPhone 4 or other mobile technologies should take that crown. But the iPad has created an entirely different way of receiving and absorbing information in 2010.

The iPad will outpace the iPhone for the chosen "keep the kids entertained device" for Gen Z parents as there is more room for security, limited need for a data plan, and the device will allow parents to hold onto their cell phones

2. They won't take criticism well.
If there's one thing we've learned from Generation Y, it's that they're not to be ... umm ... messed with. One slip of the tongue with a teenager and they're likely to stomp on your foot, leave the room, and start an empire quicker than you can say Facebook. The generation of entitlement is only going to continue to grow, so be prepared to speak to your young-ers the right way.

3. They will continue to find loopholes.
Generation Z will continue to find ways to access their information more quickly. Overall, a very interesting game of cat and mouse is about to ensue, and marketers will need to be even more on their toes in choosing the right strategy, creative, and media to engage this audience in something interactive.

Source: Engage:Teens - MediaPost
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=132445

Dark Side of the Internet

Just in case you had any doubts that there is a darker side to the Internet (and I'm not even referring to Internet pornography) consider this current example:

• Eleven-year-old Jessie Leonhardt (aka "Jessi Slaughter" and "kerligirl13") has a computer, unsupervised internet access, and web cam - with her parents' approval.

• Through her online interactions, she started collecting "haters" - people who would post negative comments about her and her posts.

• Jessie responded to the "haters" by recording and uploading a video of herself - in a verbally explicit rant against them (one that might make Mel Gibson proud).

• Given the viral nature of online video, the video was re-posted repeatedly and ended up on a popular "trolling" website. These websites are known for attracting people whose intent is to select individuals and harass them online and offline.

• Internet users began attacking Jessie online with comments, posting her personal information (address, phone number, email, social networking information). Jessie's family was deluged with phone calls, pranks, and threats.

• Jessie posted another video (crying) and her dad jumped in and began yelling into the camera. This video went viral also. Some of the Jessie videos have received over a million views.

• The harassment continued with posts of rumors that her father had given Jessie PCP and that she had committed suicide.

• Jessie was eventually placed in protective police custody.

What can parents learn from this? Jessie's story underscores the importance of proactive parental supervision of their kids' Internet usage.

In an interview with the website MomLogic, Jessie's mother remarked that all of Jessie's friends have computers and web cams and that they video chat with each other. She said that she was unaware that Jessie had been making videos. She said that she can't be in the room with Jessie 24/7.

But, Jessie IS ONLY eleven-years-old, has acquired knowledge and vocabulary that would make many adults blush, and clearly Mom and Dad did not set any sort of appropriate boundaries or consequences for violating their expectations.

The Internet is perhaps the most powerful information and communication tool ever invented. But, it does have a dark side. In my mind, while I understand that even in the best circumstances parenting is difficult, the major cause of this sad story has to do with Mom and Dad's lack of proactive and protective parenting.

Source: Momlogic
Warning: The videos embedded in the Momlogic link below contain explicit language.
http://www.momlogic.com/2010/07/exclusive_interview_mom_defends_11_year_old_youtube_sensation_jessi_slaughter_jessica_leonhardt_dianne_leonhardt.php

What's Hot? 7/16/10

Top 10 Increasing Web Searches on Bing - 7/16/10
   1. carrie underwood wedding
   2. home run derby 2010
   3. cindy blackman
   4. mel gibson rant
   5. vanity fair
   6. barefoot bandit
   7. carmelo anthony
   8. unemployment extension
   9. christina milian
  10. oksana grigorieva
Source: Bing

Top 10 U.S. Websites - 7/16/10
   1. Google
   2. Facebook
   3. Yahoo!
   4. YouTube
   5. Amazon
   6. Wikipedia
   7. Craigslist
   8. Twitter (+1)
   9. eBay (-1)
  10. Windows Live
Source: Alexa

iTunes Top 10 Downloaded Songs - 7/16/10
   1. Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna) - Eminem
   2. Dynamite - Taio Cruz
   3. California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Katy Perry
   4. I Like It (feat. Pitbull) - Enrique Iglesias
   5. Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner
   6. Airplanes (feat. Hayley Williams) - B.o.B
   7. Ridin' Solo - Jason Derulo
   8. Billionaire (feat. Bruno Mars) - Travie McCoy
   9. Not Afraid - Eminem
  10. OMG (feat. will.i.am) - Usher
Source: Apple iTunes

Top 10 TV Shows in Prime Time - Week Ending 7/11/10
   1. NCIS
   2. America's Got Talent - Tue
   3. America's Got Talent - Wed
   4. The Bachelorette
   5. The Mentalist
   6. NCIS: Los Angeles
   7. Two and a Half Men
   8. The Big Bang Theory
   9. Wipeout - Tues
  10. CSI: Miami
Source: Nielsen Co

Top 5 Most Viewed Videos on YouTube - Week Ending 7/16/10
   1. Nelly Furtado - Bajo Otra Luz
   2. Strut That Ass
   3. Eminem Feat. Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie
   4. Double Rainbow Song!!
   5. 7 Minutes in Heaven?!
Source: YouTube

Top 5 Movies - Week Ending 7/8/10
   1. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
   2. The Last Airbender
   3. Toy Story 3
   4. Grown Ups
   5. Knight & Day
Source: Box Office Mojo