THE 90s KIDS/TEENS AND POP CULTURE

There were already computers in the 90s, but our world did not revolve around them- at least for children and teens growing up in that era. Looking back, I can't help but feel nostalgic about it. I personally think that during those times, there was still a balance between social and electronic interaction.

This was the age that when we pressed the remote control and go to MTV channel, they are featuring music of our favorite artists. During those times, Britney Spears was hot, and the girls would sing along to her songs. Then there was Christina Aguilera. Though our moms would comment on her costumes, they could not argue when we point out that her voice is amazing. There was also the battle of the boy bands. When there were class presentations in school, its almost always to the music of Backstreet Boys and N'sync. We would swoon over Westlife when we see their faces on the tube. There were the beautiful girls of the sibling Irish group The Corrs, and the outrageous, yet fun outfits of the Spice Girls.

Growing up, we have limited tv time. But I remember that we watched the X-Men TV series, and Dawson's Creek on weekends. During school days, we would run home to catch the Flame of Recca in the afternoons.

The computer games have gone a long way since Naruto, Super Mario and Tetris.

I remembered we had Slinky, and we would play with it in the stairs. The higher the stairs, the better. Our parents had always been nervous seeing  us playing at the stairs, but you know kids - we were fearless. There was also the time when Dad bought Rubik's cube. I remembered when I was able to solve the puzzle after days of trying, I did not want to rearrange it ever again.

Back then, only our parents have cellphones. What they can do with it was just to call or text – no cameras, or any other fancy apps it has today. Nokia was the popular brand back then.Taking a picture of what we were about to eat was not a habit when we were in a restaurant. When we we went out with friends, we talk to each other, no matter how silly it was.

Those were the days...

Photos: Slinky: Marcin Wichary, Brtiney: Wikimedia pd, Tetris: Conor  Lawless