A generation widely defined by
mobility, today's teenagers are now making demands of their mobile devices and,
in doing so, redefining what mobility will be in the future, according to a
national survey, "Teenagers: A Generation Unplugged," released
today by CTIA - The Wireless Association in conjunction with Harris
Interactive.
As the wireless industry celebrates the upcoming 25th anniversary
of the first commercial cell phone call (October 13, 1983), this in-depth online
study of more than 2,000 teenagers around the nation sheds new light on how
today's teens feel about wireless products and services, how they are using
them today and most importantly, how they would like to use them in the future.
A growing wireless segment, teens view their cell phones as more than just an
accessory.
Highlights of the study include:
- Teens consider cell phones an indication of status
- 4 out 5 teens use a cell phone.
- 80% say cell phones provide a sense of security.
- Many prefer texting over talking.
- They would also like their phones to be water and shock proof.
"A quarter of a century of wireless innovation, new products and
customized features has transformed our everyday lives," said Steve
Largent, President and CEO, CTIA - The Wireless Association. "Teens are
a pivotal segment of wireless users. As the first generation born into a
wireless society, how they use their cell phones and what they expect of these
devices in the future will drive the next wave of innovation in our
industry."
Impact on Teen Life
According to the Harris Interactive study, second to clothing, teens say a
cell phone tells the most about a person's social status or popularity,
outranking jewelry, watches and shoes. The study also found that cell phones are
fast becoming a social necessity among teens. A majority (57 percent)
view their cell phone as the key to their social life.
With nearly four out of every five teens (17 million) carrying a wireless
device (a 40 percent increase since 2004), it's not surprising that six in ten
teens (57 percent) credit mobility for improving their quality of life. Over
half of the respondents (52 percent) agree the cell phone has become a new form
of entertainment and one-third of teens currently play games on their phone. On
a more serious note, 80 percent of teens surveyed said their cell phone provided
a sense of security while on the go, confirming the cell phone has become their mobile safety net when needing a ride (79
percent), getting important information (51 percent), or just helping out
someone in trouble (35 percent).
From texting to talking and logging on to social networking sites, teens
carry cell phones to have access to friends, family and current events.
Ironically, while only one in five (18 percent) teens care to pinpoint the
location of their family and friends via their cell phone, 36 percent hate the
idea of a cell phone feature allowing others to know their exact location.
Texting Replacing Talking
Another significant trend confirmed by the study is that texting is indeed
replacing talking among teens. Teens admitted spending nearly an equal amount of
time talking as they do texting each month. The feature is so important to them
that if texting was no longer an option, 47 percent of teens say their social
life would end or be worsened - especially among females (54 percent compared
to 40 percent of males).
Teens say texting has critical advantages because it offers more options,
including multitasking, speed, the option to avoid verbal communication, and
because it is fun - in that order. With more than 1 billion text messages sent
each day, it is no surprise that 42 percent of teens say they can even text
blindfolded, the study revealed.
"Teens have created a new form of communication. We call it texting, but
in essence it is a reflection of how teens want to communicate to match their
lifestyles. It is all about multitasking, speed, privacy and control," said
Joseph Porus, Vice President & Chief Architect, Technology Group, Harris
Interactive. "Teens in this study are crying for personalization and
control of exactly what a wireless device or plan can do for them."
Reshaping the Future
The Harris Interactive study provided a futuristic snapshot as to what teens
would like to change about wireless services and devices. They want cell phones
that break boundaries and are personalized to fit their lifestyle. Topping their
wireless wish list are phones that:
- Guarantee secured data access to the user only (80 percent)
- Provide accessibility to personal health records (66 percent)
- Present opportunities to be educated anywhere in the world (66 percent)
- Bring users closer to global issues impacting teens' world (63 percent)
"Teens expect mobile technology to change the social fabric of their
world and they have laid the future at the feet of this technology like no
other," said Porus. "To our knowledge, no other industry carries these
hopes; while teens are interested in cars and music and movies, it is mobility
that will change their future!"
While there is no crystal ball to show what phones of the future will look
like, the study found that teens are excited and open-minded about the wireless
possibilities. The survey found that teens' ideal future mobile device would
feature five applications - phone, MP3 player, GPS, laptop computer and video
player - and the following desired features:
- Shock and water proof (81 percent)
- Endless power (80 percent)
- Privacy screen (58 percent)
- Flexible material and folds into different shapes and sizes (39 percent)
- Artificial intelligence - ask it questions and it gives answers (38
percent)
"In the future, mobility for teens means mobile banking, mobile voting,
location based services, personal entertainment - the sky is the limit for how
mobile our lifestyles can be," commented Largent. "We've certainly
come a long way in 25 years and expect teens to be a growth driver for the
industry and have a major impact on the wireless landscape for years to
come."