Teenagers increasingly turn to the internet not only for their social networking needs, but also for their TV preferences.

The amount of video Americans watched on the Web increased 66 percent in the past year according to comScore.

Major studios, including Fox, NBC Universal, and Warner Bros. are moving quickly to establish Web sites for their premium video titles, in hopes of grabbing a growing audience of online video viewers.

This shift seems to both reflect changing viewing needs and promise to shape consumer viewing habits by offering alternatives to TV. This shift is promising to some, and scary for others – especially TV executives and advertisers.

While some TV networks are adding more content online, CW TV has stopped posting new episodes of the network's third most popular show, "Gossip Girl." In hopes of pushing viewers back to the TV and pushing their ratings back up the charts. Though ratings for the show have increased since the changes, outrage has been sparked throughout the teen blogosphere by teens that are upset that their entertainment schedule is once again now being dictated by the network.

Not only does this trend reflect changing entertainment venues, but it also seems to reflect a wider change within social norms and common experience.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Web media researcher Geoffrey Long believes multiple video-delivery devices will fracture the traditional shared entertainment experience fostered by TV.

"You may be less likely to ask your co-worker if they'd seen the latest episode of [the Internet-based animation series] 'Homestar Runner,' " said Long. "But you can have the same conversation with friends on the other side of the planet."

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

Have you seen a change in the expectations of your youth ministry students as a result of the shift toward more user dictated entertainment schedules? You feel that a shift away from the common TV experience is a healthy thing or an unhealthy thing?

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Youth Culture Update online is an article summary compiled by Damien O’Farrell