Next time someone tells you that hanging out online is a waste of time, you can reference this study, which states, "spending time online is essential for young people to pick up the social and technical skills they need to be competent citizens in the digital age". The study interviewed teens, observed them interact online at websites such as Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, etc. and found that young people develop important social skills online in ways adults often do not get. I agree with this study that socializing online is an important aspect in the development of one's social skills; however, face to face interactions are also critical to a teen's social development.