Every generation of young people seems to be misunderstood by their elders, and today’s teens are no exception. While adults may accuse adolescents of preferring electronics to face-to-face contact, March data on teenage internet users in the US from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that advocates for kids and families, shows that claim may be unfounded, or at least deserves qualification.
Nearly half of 13- to 17-year-old respondents said their favorite way to communicate with friends was in person. Texting was a close second, though, with one-third saying they preferred it.
Among those who liked texting better, 30% said it was the quickest way to communicate, 23% said it was easiest and 16% said it gave them more time to think about how to respond. For those who preferred face-to-face communication, 38% indicated that it was more fun, while 29% said they could better understand what people mean in person.
Nevertheless, teens today are “digital natives” in every sense, and even smartphones represent a significant online access point for these young internet users. A May study of US teens by security firm McAfee, for example, showed that teen internet users reported spending 13.5% of their online time on their smartphone.
What’s the takeaway for marketers trying to win a share of young internet users’ attention? March data from Ipsos OTX and Ipsos Global @dvisor suggests mobile ads are a good bet. More than one-third (36%) of US internet users under 35 have read an ad on their mobile phone, according to the survey.
For more information CLICK HERE.
Email This Article
