Teen Technology

Walk into Best Buy these days, and all you can see is a maze of gadgets that do weird and sometimes unexplainable things. Discs, drives, and DVDs of every size and color, as well as camcorders, cameras, and calculators. How do you figure out which is the best for you? Finding an answer to that question can be a full day's work. Here's one particular camcorder which is practical for teens (see title link). It's the Flip Ultra, available in a variety of colors and sold for a comfortable $150. Don't get me wrong, I understand that $150 may not be an amount you can just take out of your pocket in cold, hard cash. But if you're shopping at a place like Best Buy, you obviously have SOME money to spend. This camcorder costs less than an IPod, a necessity these days to millions. So check this gadget out. It's only four inches long. Running on AA batteries, it has a built-in software that lets you edit and email videos you make! You can upload all the videos you record on this camcorder straight to YouTube. Ready to share, anyone?

Saving the World: Go Green!

So remember those days when you watched The Inconvenient Truth and felt like you had done a huge favor to the world by allotting two hours of your life to watching a documentary? Remember when Earth Day environmental action was seen as heroic, and ice caps weren't melting quite so fast?

Well, those days are over, people. Now, you have to take action (see title link). Whether it's switching to earth-friendly shampoo or picking up trash on the way to school/work, you really can make a difference. Millions of issues regarding the environment are out there waiting to be tackled. So take the first step and start saving the world!

You Can Never Go Wrong With Natural!

As the spring party season is upon us, many young women have a burning question constantly tormenting them: WHAT do we do with our hair? Well, as astonishingly easy as it may sound, the long and sleek look IS in, people (see title link). Those never-ending, shiny locks will make you feel like a princess, and the work involved is so much less than for those complicated up-dos! So this year, skip the French twist. Go with long and sleek.

IDK, my BFF Jill!?

Relationships between teens get complicated--fast. The two biggest relationships in an adolescent's life? Your BFF and your BF/GF. Well, what happens if your BFF and your BF hate each other? Or if your BFF constantly talks about her own BF? Should you drop him/her?

My personal answer is no. A best friend can be valuable throughout your life (see title link). So what if she can't stop gabbing about her boyfriend and then cries for days when he breaks her heart? You'll probably do that someday, too, and will need her support. So understand each other and build the relationship; it'll be one of the best things you'll ever have.

The Key to Accessorizing: Wet Seal

Want to shop for some fun, vibrant accessories that save you the price without sacrificing the style? Check out Wet Seal (see title link), which offers bracelets, earrings, and necklaces of all kinds of varieties that are affordable without looking cheap. Unlike some other stores' goods, Wet Seal extras don't fall apart an hour after purchase. Their bracelets are especially cool, with their array of prints, sizes, and materials (wood, rubber, plastic, etc.). I found a multi-colored polka dot bracelet there once for a mere $7. It was fun and hip and could match any outfit. Variety and versatility are key to accessories; after all, they are the icing on the cake of fashion!

Levi's and 213 Industry

I pretty much live in my Levi's (see title link). They're definitely the most comfortable jean out there, and have styles that are so versatile that they appeal to children, teens, and adults. The dark colors work best for adolescent girls, creating that sleek effect. Plus, they are so incredibly relaxed and classic that paying $68 for a pair (see picture) doesn't seem outrageous. Plus, they'll last for years.

Also great for teens is 213 Industry, if you're looking to splurge. They have glamorous tops and skirts that literally add a sparkle to any outfit. One top I saw was silver and covered with sequins--perfect for a night on the town. But watch out: it gets pricey at $98.

Hayden? Oh, yes.

Here's one teen that every tween, kid, or adult can aspire to be: Hayden Panettiere. When she's not getting herself into trouble by doing drugs or drinking at clubs, she's out saving the whales by swimming through the bloody waters of Japan and protesting. She's not afraid to take risks, and teaches everyone that working hard can get you somewhere. A true environmentalist, she deserves the respect of every Hollywood celebrity and everyday person alike (see title link).

Celebrity Endorsements

For teenagers and kids, celebrities are often role models that lead the way for our food, fashion, and musical tastes. Companies realize that, too. That's why they pay these young stars millions each year to endorse their products to help them stand out from the rest.
Hiring a famous person to endorse your brand can boost sales by billions of dollars. But they can also sink your product. Take Red by Marc Ecko, for example (see title link). It has a cool new sneaker collection that I love. But this year, its poster girl is Vanessa Hudgens, a woman whom I would never look up to. Now, I feel hesitant to buy these items of merchandise, in light of all of her recent actions. Before endorsing a famous celebrity, a company should check their reputation first. It may just be their biggest mistake.

Student Exchanges = Cultural Experiences

You don't have to be a 20-something jetsetter to experience different cultures. In fact, you don't even need your high school to travel. The US Government has its own programs (see title link), such as the Youth Exchange and Study (Y.E.S.) Program which helps to connect families in cultural exchanges. Not ready to travel the world for a whole semester? You can experience a new culture in the comfort of your own home, by HOSTING an exchange student from another country. It could be a life-changing experience, not to mention a life-long friendship.

Lame Lessons of Love

A continuation of my anti-magazine love advice rant...

The other day I read an article that was particularly nauseating. Those "date mazes" that are currently present in every issue of every periodical appealing to adolescents (see title link). A sheet of paper should not make any decisions for me, let alone those regarding my fancies with others. I don't want to know when I should "Move On," which is just a nice way of saying "He Doesn't Like You." These columns are so transparent and so shallow that I find it difficult to understand why millions of teen girls find solace in them.