Many kids now (I'm in my late 30s) appreciate pop melodies and sensibilities, I guess especially because some global artists tend to use pop themes in more varied and experimental ways. I actually think it's corny nowadays to be confined in the traditional rock musicality. You'll end up with Nickelback, Creed, David Cook, etc. See how some young people now use time signatures, how they divide up their measures, use unusual chords and intervals, expand to other instruments (e.g., who would have thought the ukelele had a place in bands?) etc... it makes some 90s bands sound like amateur players (I say players because being a songwriter or musician is a different matter altogether).
I also think that deviation/rebellion (of which rock is traditionally a part) is not limited to rock/metal themes anymore. Plus, social media has provided young people non-musical avenues for expression that I guess frees up the angst in the area of music.
