Allowing instantaneous communication to people anywhere in the world in 140-character bursts of inspiration, Twitter provides personal communication between friends, family, and acquaintances, is a means for celebrities to connect with their fans, and is a platform for micro-blogging, advertising, and the reporting of breaking news. Learning to use such a powerful and far-reaching form of communication efficiently and safely requires knowing the tricks,...

Foursquare and other, similar location-based services are no longer merely sophisticated toys that allow users to broadcast their location, but have transformed into real marketing opportunities. Foursquare can also be an important way for teens and parents to always be in contact and aware of each other's present location. This book introduces readers to all the surprising things that location-based services allow users to do, as well as some of...

Self-expression is incredibly important, especially during the teen years, and with the advent of blogging, teen writers can share their thoughts, ideas, and creative writing with the entire world and create a supportive and nurturing online community. Blogs can be enhanced with photos, artwork, video, and audio, creating a rich, multi-layered, multimedia expression of the self. Yet there are dangers associated with blogging, as with all other forms...

Databases allow anyone to meticulously organize and maintain their information. Police departments, airports, libraries-nearly every organization that wants to make sense of large amounts of information utilizes databases. This book takes often-complex information and makes it simple and accessible for the reader. It provides students with a solid understanding on this fascinating topic, and will guide the reader through the basics of how to get a...

The online world has opened up dozens of avenues for finding reliable answers to research questions. While the Web provides super-fast access to reliable academic and commercial sources, some of the best resources for research don't appear in Web search results. A great deal of information is contained in subscription and library databases. Students learn about some of the new research techniques and tools that are available for online searching in...

With sophisticated graphics that rival the latest 3D Hollywood release and a complexity of narrative that equals the most elaborately imagined worlds found in fantasy novels, gaming has become big business, mass entertainment, and high art. Indeed, the gaming experience is so involving and enticing that it can pose some dangers. Repetitive motion disorders, sedentary lifestyles, computer/gaming addiction, loss of perspective, exposure to graphic violence,...

Today's world is one where information can be shared instantly via the Internet, and new ways of communicating are being created every day. This book shows already Internet-savvy teens how to fully maximize fun elements like widgets, blogs, and wikis. Interesting facts are shared in sidebars and the resource section is fully loaded with suggestions for further exploration.

Most organizations, businesses, and schools, and even many individuals, have their own websites. Building a website draws on a number of different skills, and thus can be a valuable learning experience for students. This book introduces readers to the fundamentals of planning, designing, building, and launching their own websites. It simplifies complex concepts and encourages website creation and experimentation. It updates an earlier website-building...

Nearly every organization, business, and school has its own Web site. Many individuals have their own site as well. Readers who are interested in making their own Web site will find that the process of doing so draws on a number of different skills, and can be a valuable learning experience. This book introduces readers to the fundamentals of planning, designing, building, and publishing their own Web site. It simplifies complex concepts and encourages...

Describes the evolution of social activism on the Internet, from social media journalism to online petitions and charity crowdfunding, and includes information on how to become an online activist.