Teens & Mobile Phones:Texting rises sharply as mobile phones become the communication hub for American teens

Amanda LenhartCTIA’s Responsible Wireless Use EventOctober 2010San Francisco, CA

May 2010 2

Methods

• 800 teens ages 12 to 17 and a parent or guardian were contacted by landline or cellular telephone in a nationally representative rdd survey conducted from June to September 2009.

• 9 focus groups in four cities with middle and high school aged teens (ages 12-18) conducted in June and October 2009.

• Joint project of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and the University of Michigan.

• Thanks to research partners Rich Ling and Scott Campbell.

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Teens & Mobile Phones

Final Thoughts

• Cell phones are the hub of teen communication activities – increasingly a mobile computer in their pockets.

• Cell phones leap frog connectivity roadblocks for low income, minority teens and adults

• Teens and young adults are not monolithic – so a multi-pronged approach is prudent

• Changes suggest a move towards mobile…

• …but teens and young adults do not always embrace the newest thing.

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Thanks!

Amanda Lenharthttp://www.pewinternet.orgTwitter: @amanda_lenhart