A new report from the US-based MacArthur Foundation challenges the oft assertion that teenagers' time on social networks is risky or unproductive. The study found that "hanging out" online is essential for youth to gain the social and technical skills needed to fully participate in today's digitally-saturated society. The report concluded that teens are aware of the value of online activity while adults often see it as a waste of time. Teens use social networks to publicly signal the existence of relationships, express themselves creatively, and receive feedback from each other. MacArthur Foundation News Release | St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Read the white paper