For extra insight into the cell phone behavior of your preteen or teenager, take a few minutes to read these 2008 survey results from Harris Interactive, conducted with 2,098 teenagers in the United States. The survey was paid for by CTIA: The Wireless Association, an industry group. The results appear to be as timely today as they were two years ago. The Marketing Charts website depicts the results with emphasis points. Another cell phone and teen research survey, Teens, Cell Phones, and Texting, conducted more recently and published in April 2010 by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, an organization independent of industry interests.
The survey results make it clear to all of us — parents and teachers — that mobile phones and smart phones continue to be influential in the world of pre-adolescents and teens and will probably become even more so in the future. These mini-gadgets are permanently anchored in their social lives — and in ours.
A few data highlights from the Harris survey are below. Check the websites for the bigger picture.
Harris Interactive Survey Highlights Include
- A majority (57%) of teens view their cell phone as the key to their social lives.
- Speed and privacy (which they think they have) are key to teens.
- Teens report that they spend equal amounts of time texting and talking each month.
- They want their phones to have endless power and access.
- Many wish they had access to health records via their phones.
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