Filed under: Audio, Business, Internet, Kids, News, Web services
Teens wonder where their songs should come from
Legally old enough teens cannot buy songs from online services legitimately, because they all require a credit card, which not many teens have. Not only is this helping to drive the piracy rate among teens, it also illustrates another critical piece of information on why piracy is so rampant. The original problem of piracy is one of the service providers not giving consumers what they want. Let me explain. If someone made a way for teens (the biggest pirates out there according to studies) a way to legitimately get music, many would do it. Teens get sucked in by friends when there is no other alternative. As with drugs, clothes, electronics, and other stuff, teens will go where they have to to get what they want, and not just teens but people in general. People in general however (meaning adults) have a means with credit cards in their name to buy music. It is the same conundrum as the music to the mass deal before when Napster was being sued. Give the people what they want and they will come running, especially the younger generation. Why do you think MySpace is so popular?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jordan Running said 1:08AM on 10-09-2006
This is bunk. Any teen can buy an iTunes music card at Target or Wal-Mart or a hundred other national chains with cash. Furthermore, any teen can open a free checking account and get a Visa check card that they can use for online purchases. I've never had a credit card and I've been buying music online for years.
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Ryan Carter said 1:08AM on 10-09-2006
I don't think the average 13 year old has their own bank account (or should), and give them a checkcard in this day and age? Not a good idea. iTunes cards are a good alternative, but what about all the other services?
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Peter said 12:13PM on 10-09-2006
Even if you make it easier, it's still going to be a hard sell against free. Maybe teens know piracy is wrong, but they assume nothing bad will happen to them. (That's just part of being young, assuming you are invincible).
The real key is to making people understand that non-physical items have value. Everyone understands that taking a physical CD is theft and it's wrong. We need to make people understand that the music itself, ideas, and other non-physical items have value. Deciding on what the value is, is a whole different issue, but they do have value.
Until people understand that and understand that people are harmed by the theft of non-physical items, it's going to be hard to convince people that illegal downloads aren't a "victimless crime."
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wayfind said 12:13PM on 10-09-2006
what's wrong with piracy? the problem is totally lawful (or justicial, as you wish), nothing to do with economic troubles. The artist/producer isn't going to get a million out of the 25? What is the PRACTICAL harm? He won't buy himself another Bugatti? Won't pay for another month of drinkdown? I realise that I look like a comunism propagandist, but, oh well, it's my thought.
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p337 said 2:25PM on 10-09-2006
"If someone made a way for teens (the biggest pirates out there according to studies) a way to legitimately get music"
They can walk themselves to the music store and buy it if they wanted to. People don't pay for music because they can get it for free. Plain and simple. It isnt because its too hard to get. It isnt because it costs too much. Its because you can easily get it for free.
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stev said 9:39PM on 10-12-2006
well i could go to a store and buy myself a card for napster or urge
but that kind of defeats the purpose to getting music online
i would have to get my parents to drive me up to a Walmart or somewhere (i dont live close to anywhare that sells music cards)
and if im there i might as well buy the cd
i would like to get an urge subscription but my parents dont want to let me use their credit card, i cant get to a walmart to buy a prepaid music card, and the songs would die after i stop paying (unless i use fu4wm)
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Ashley said 11:55AM on 10-11-2006
Never thought of that...
If the RIAA come knocking at my door:
"Sorry sir, I'm addicted and I just cant stop!! :("
PERFECT!
Ashley
P.s. I'm a 15yr old and this artical is total cr*p, if teens can get it for FREE, they will choose that over paying for it - simple as!
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