Oh those Crazy Teens...

Reading Nielsen's article on the "Usability of Websites for Teenagers" spoke to facts that most people already know: teens don't like to read very much, but like to have fun. Thus, in order to appeal to teens, websites must be simple, interactive, and fun.

According to the report, "The following interactive features all worked well because they let teens do things rather than simply sit and read: Online quizzes, forms for providing feedback or asking questions, Online voting, Games, Features for sharing pictures or stories, Message boards, Forums for offering and receiving advice, Features for creating a website or otherwise adding content."

Interactivity is extremely important to teens because it allows them to express themselves and build social networks. An effective website modeled for teens would include short, concise verbiage, as well as items that allow social relationships and give the user a platform share information about themselves.

Regardless of who, it is vital to design one's website around the needs of its audience. The more usable a site, the more effective in communicating it is.