While we play, I imagine them in their suburban rec rooms, Beastie Boys blaring on MP3, their parents pestering them to get on with homework. I can understand Worminator's reaction. If he's anything like most high-school students, he spends his entire day avoiding adults. It is one of the few opportunities I get to study the adolescent mind in all its uncensored, standoffish splendor. But in cyberspace gaming forums, where anonymity is assured, teen rebels can speak their mind without being grounded or losing their car privileges.
Some games provide better chat opportunities than others.
The format encourages dialogue, because there's little to do during your opponent's move except chat. In fact, you can tell a lot about the state of youth culture without even toggling the chat window. Kyle, Big Gay Al, The Chef and, of course, the oft-slain Kenny. That was last year, of course. This year, for all I know, you would be mocked mercilessly for using such dated nomenclature.