clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk Surfing the internet, playing games and hanging out on social networks are important for teen development, a large study of online use has revealed.
The report counters the stereotypical view held by many parents and teachers that such activity is a waste of time.
"They are learning the technological skills and literacy needed for the contemporary world," said the report's author, Dr Mimi Ito.
"They are learning how to communicate online, craft a public identity, create a home page, post links.
"All these things were regarded as sophisticated 10 years ago but young people today take them for granted," Dr Ito told the BBC.
Over the period of the study, researchers observed users for more than 5,000 hours.
The aim of the Digital Youth Project was to provide an "ethnographical view of how children use social media to socialise, learn and relax".