With more and more kids turning to the internet for a story to be more realistic should technology be used to communicate with the characters? There is facebook, cell phones, twitter. Second life and IMVU which is chat software. Should it be used in a YA Novel, or not if so how much?
Technology use in YA novels...
- Thread starter Wolfdreamer25
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Depends on the YA setting, and the characters in question. I'd imagine that in contemporary novels, they'd be more likely to use it. As for how much, I'm not really sure, since that's not really my area of expertise.
Becca C.
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Go ahead. Facebook is featured very prominently in a lot of YA novels, especially The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler -- the plot revolves around Facebook. My advice would be to make sure the technology/websites you mention are ones that are sure to be around for at least five more years.
Facebook is safe. Cell phones are safe, but maybe don't mention brand names. Twitter is borderline, I wouldn't use it. I've never heard of anyone use IMVU and I think Second Life is more for adults since real currency is used, I've never heard of a teen use it. Just using the universal term IM (instant messaging) rather than saying MSN or what-have-you is usually safest.
You can always make up your own technology too, to suit your own purposes. I wrote a novel based around social networking, but I made up a website called TeenTopia rather than using a real one.
Facebook is safe. Cell phones are safe, but maybe don't mention brand names. Twitter is borderline, I wouldn't use it. I've never heard of anyone use IMVU and I think Second Life is more for adults since real currency is used, I've never heard of a teen use it. Just using the universal term IM (instant messaging) rather than saying MSN or what-have-you is usually safest.
You can always make up your own technology too, to suit your own purposes. I wrote a novel based around social networking, but I made up a website called TeenTopia rather than using a real one.
Liosse de Velishaf
Banned
I prefer to make up my own social net-working sites, companies, but that's partly because the effects of social networking are something I like to explore when I write contemp or near-future YA novels.
Becca's advice is very sound. I think you'd probably be okay using Twitter. I know a lot of people who did as teens, but it's not nearly as mainstream as Facebook.
Becca's advice is very sound. I think you'd probably be okay using Twitter. I know a lot of people who did as teens, but it's not nearly as mainstream as Facebook.
For the most I try not to use brand name social networking sites. You never know what's going to come along later on. For my book Silent Sonata, my character's school has their own site so I use it instead of a real one.
Second Life isn't unrealistic among the sort of teens who are into shared worlds and the like. It's free unless you want to pay for stuff. A 16 or 17-year old can sign up without issues, but is restricted to areas rated general (PG). 18+ is an adult member.
A few 13-15-year-olds came in when the teen grid was shut down, but there aren't many and they're part of closed projects.
Some younger ones lie about their age and use the grid as an adult. This happened even when the teen grid was active. There are also private grids which might allow younger members (a particularly tech-savvy teen might even run his/her own).
Facebook is safe. I think it most likely will be eternal. Google is also safe for the next 5-10 years I think. I think tablet PCs/eReaders and the Google Wallet feature where you withdraw funds from a phone linked to your bank account will become huge in the future as well. However, I would avoid brand names because there's no guarantee the big pushers will be around other than Amazon's Kindle model and I would avoid mentioning a specific kind of Kindle.
I wouldn't do too much about programming etc other than facebook, twitter, etc. There's a YA book in my school library called LOVE IN CYBERIA all about the exciting new internet (!) and that is so out of date now despite being written in the 21st century.
And a little thing to remember - only a couple of years ago a HUGE amount of teens were on the social networking site Bebo.....
And a little thing to remember - only a couple of years ago a HUGE amount of teens were on the social networking site Bebo.....
Liosse de Velishaf
Banned
"Google Wallet" is a great example of something that will probably be dated quickly as a brand name. It's just an expansion on Paypal which has been running very successfully for years.
I was wondering the same thing. In my book I do have Facebook and cell phones because I figured that was safest.
I reckon you'd be alright with iPods/mp4 players, cell phones, DVDs (not CDs though), Google, Hotmail, e-readers. One thing that might date it is doing what several novels from about 2003-6 do - talking about how small their cell phones are, or 'flipping/sliding his phone open'. What were OMG-supa-cool a few years ago are dated already (even slide phones, and I bought one this year 
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Becca C.
Registered
CDs are safe, I'd say. They've been around for more than twenty years and they're still producing them, even if they aren't the main way music is purchased. People definitely still know what they are
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In my YA contemporary WiP, I did reference Facebook and cell phones but I'm leaving out most other technological details, like what the cell phones look like, or what exactly the characters are using to listen to music, what email/internet service providers the characters use, etc. All these details are deliberately omitted.
Technological advancements have moved crazily fast in the past ten years. It's best to tread carefully to avoid the facts dating too much.
Technological advancements have moved crazily fast in the past ten years. It's best to tread carefully to avoid the facts dating too much.
I would think all think i(Phone/Pod/Pad) are OK for at least a few years. And probably Google. It's hard to guess, though. Some things that will still be around might be uncool. (See AOL, MySpace, etc.)
I wonder how long references to DVDs will be safe. Sure, they'll probably still be made for a while, but I only buy Blu-Rays now. Who knows how long that will be the dominant format, especially with the availability of digital copies.
I wonder how long references to DVDs will be safe. Sure, they'll probably still be made for a while, but I only buy Blu-Rays now. Who knows how long that will be the dominant format, especially with the availability of digital copies.
CDs are safe, I'd say. They've been around for more than twenty years and they're still producing them, even if they aren't the main way music is purchased. People definitely still know what they are
Apparently car manufacturers are starting to phase out in-car CD players though - worth a thought.
Read Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, if you have not already. I think its one of the finest examples of technology use in a YA novel.
I think it depends if technology works. To add it just because it's YA will most likely make it seem strange. It may not work if your MC isn't the typical teenager, amongst many other reasons. However, if it can and would work, i'd put some of it in, even if it's not much. It just makes sense, for the most part.
Like everyone is saying, there are some things that are fairy safe to use, others that may become dated. If you want it to be a good representation of now, than add things even if they may go away in a little while. Allusions are often used, and wont hard your book. If you just want technology to be prominent, perhaps it would be better to use your own brand names, or things that you expect will be around for a while. Best of luck, and I hope this helps.
Like everyone is saying, there are some things that are fairy safe to use, others that may become dated. If you want it to be a good representation of now, than add things even if they may go away in a little while. Allusions are often used, and wont hard your book. If you just want technology to be prominent, perhaps it would be better to use your own brand names, or things that you expect will be around for a while. Best of luck, and I hope this helps.