Essentials

From the WTF Files...the latest danger of technology is supposedly "smartphone face," which people get from leaning forward and staring at their phones too much. Plastic surgeons say the "syndrome" is recognizable by an elongated face, sagging jowels, and lines that run from the corner of the mouth to the chin. (The Week)

The first batch of nominees for the Teen Choice Awards 2012 are in and "Vampire Diaries" leads the way with 6 nods, followed by the Biebs and "American Idol" with 5 noms each. But we're most excited about the newest categories: Choice Book and Choice Electronic Dance Music Artist. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Social media is becoming increasingly important in the job search and hiring process; more than 50% of companies look at potential hires' profiles to see if they are a good fit with the company's culture. Moreover, nearly 80% of college students are OK with companies contacting them directly on social media. (All Twitter)

Here's more proof that Pinterest is an essential platform for brands: according to Shopify, users are buying products they pin and spending $80 on an average purchase, which is double that of a purchase from a Facebook user. (Fast Company)

We're glad to hear that fewer teens and young adults are smoking today, which is partially attributed to an increase in cigarette taxes. Daily smoking dropped to 16% among 18-25 year olds in 2010, yet one in 12 adolescents still smoke as do one in three young adults. (Bloomberg)

Millennials want the latest technology so what are they doing with all their old, perfectly good gadgets? Giving them to their parents and older members of their family, hence the name hand-me-ups. Buzz Marketing Group is noticing this trend where Gen Y is teaching and supplying older adults with tech, as well as tech-savvy skills. (Huff Po)

It's no surprise that 76% of young voters say that jobs and unemployment are the top issues that concern them. Moreover, less than half of 18-29 year olds who are registered to vote say they'll definitely do so in the upcoming election. (Best Colleges Online)

Facebook's IPO was finally revealed at $38 per share! The price sets a total value for Facebook at $104 billion, meaning it has greater worth than any other U.S. company at its stock market debut. (CNN)

The CW is expanding its web presence with The CW Digital Studio, a platform for original online content including animation, game shows, comedy, and more that will be available on CWTV.com. Stay tuned for a roundup on the Upfronts next week and insights about which TV shows will likely attract Millennials. (The Wrap)

Three-quarters of parents consider tablets beneficial to kids and an equal percentage feel they help foster creativty. Moreover, more than a quarter have downloaded apps for their children according to this helpful infographic. (Mashable)

Ypulse Essentials: Social Games Give Movies A Boost, Walmart Takes Discs To Digital, Teens Search For Identity In Pop Lit

Check out the rest of today's essentials on Google+'s new look, the lives of 'boomerangers,' Etsy and Hacker School teaming up, and more...

Ypulse Essentials: Kids' Choice Award Nominations, Tweens And Tablets, Pinterest Is Addictive

We just got an eyeful of the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award nominees (and we think these awards will…

Ypulse Essentials: A Hunger Games Game, Google+ Is Still Growing, Millennial Women Want & Give Shopping Advice

Get ready for Hunger Games the, uh, game… (Lionsgate is teaming up with Funtactix to build a social…

Ypulse Essentials: Shopping With Social Media, Kindle Fire Steals Market Share, Teens Take On Twitter

Pinterest is growing rapidly and has quickly become the #5 social network (in terms of driving retail traffic, behind…

Ypulse Essentials: JCPenney Gets A Fresh Start, Google+ Is Now Open To Teens, Getting Into College

We’ve been eagerly awaiting news of how JCPenney would re-imagine the shopping experience (since we first heard…

Ypulse Essentials: The Day The Internet Died, Brands Use Music To Entice Millennials, Passwords Are The New Letterman Jackets

Today was the day the Internet went black (in a movement against the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act —…

Counting Down To 2012, One Trend At A Time: Twitter Takes Over

We follow youth culture and media trends closely throughout the year, and we’re seeing some significant shifts…

Ypulse Essentials: Scholastic's New Transmedia Tween Series, Google's Goggles, Online Education

Kids can now “Call Elmo” directly from a smartphone (with Sesame Street’s new app that lets kids…

Ypulse Essentials: Xbox Is The Future Of TV, Google+'s 17%, Sony's Pre-Release Digital Downloads

Microsoft is billing its upgrade of the Xbox Live platform (as the “future of TV.” The new user…

Ypulse Essentials: App Age Rating System, Fewer Households Have TVs, Spotify Is App Happy

CTIA and ESRB have put a mobile app rating system in place (to help parents and kids understand…

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