Younger Cell Phone Users Like Extra Stuff
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Laura B. Weiss -- School Library Journal, 4/12/2006
Cell phones have created a yawning technology gap, with younger Americans far surpassing older generations in their use of text messaging and gaming, according to a recent Pew Internet and American Life study of how Americans use cell phones.
Cosponsored by The Associated Press and America Online, the study sampled a group between the ages of 18 and 29 and found that its overall feeling toward cell phones was more positive than older folks'. Nearly one third of younger cell phone users say they couldn't live without them, but only 18 percent of those older than 30 felt the same way. Sixty-seven percent of younger cell owners say their phones are always turned on.
Younger users are also more likely to use extra cell phone features, like listening to music and taking pictures, and want to have the maximum amount of interactive media and communications capabilities, the report says.
Some 36 percent of young users say they enjoy receiving text messages, but only 19 percent of those 30 and older say they want this feature.
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The young really are different with their cells | |||||
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Percentage of cell phone owners in each age cohort who say… | |||||
|
Ages 18-29 |
Ages 30-49 |
Ages 50-64 |
Age 65+ |
Total | |
|
Experiences and attitudes | |||||
|
Personalized their cells by changing wallpaper or adding ring tones |
85% |
72% |
50% |
29% |
65% |
|
I have used my cell phone in an emergency and it really helped |
79% |
76% |
70% |
65% |
74% |
|
I often make cell phone calls to fill up my free time while I'm traveling or waiting for someone |
61% |
43% |
25% |
20% |
41% |
|
I have occasionally been shocked at the size of my monthly cell phone bill |
47% |
38% |
26% |
23% |
36% |
|
When I'm on my cell phone I'm not always truthful about exactly where I am |
39% |
23% |
9% |
10% |
22% |
|
Too many people try to get in touch with me because they know I have a cell phone |
37% |
23% |
12% |
5% |
22% |
|
I often feel like I have to answer my cell phone even when it interrupts a meeting or a meal |
31% |
26% |
14% |
20% |
24% |
|
Received unsolicited commercial text messages |
28% |
15% |
15% |
13% |
18% |
|
I have drawn criticism or dirty looks because of the way I used my cell in public |
14% |
9% |
4% |
3% |
8% |
|
Used cell to vote in a contest shown on TV such as "American Idol" |
14% |
9% |
5% |
1% |
8% |
|
Features they use or want | |||||
|
Use cells for text messaging |
65% |
37% |
13% |
8% |
35% |
|
Would like this feature |
14% |
14% |
11% |
11% |
13% |
|
Use cells to take pictures |
55% |
27% |
11% |
8% |
28% |
|
Would like this feature |
16% |
22% |
17% |
23% |
19% |
|
Use cells to play games |
47% |
21% |
10% |
3% |
22% |
|
Would like this feature |
9% |
11% |
12% |
18% |
12% |
|
Use cells to access the internet |
28% |
11% |
8% |
8% |
14% |
|
Would like this feature |
20% |
14% |
16% |
8% |
16% |
|
Use cells for email |
17% |
7% |
4% |
2% |
8% |
|
Would like this feature |
26% |
29% |
19% |
13% |
24% |
|
Use cells for instant messaging |
17% |
6% |
1% |
4% |
7% |
|
Would like this feature |
19% |
13% |
3% |
5% |
11% |
|
Use cells to search for movie listings, weather, stock prices |
17% |
6% |
1% |
3% |
7% |
|
Would like this feature |
30% |
31% |
15% |
8% |
24% |
|
Use cells to play music |
15% |
6% |
1% |
1% |
6% |
|
Would like this feature |
27% |
17% |
12% |
19% |
19% |
|
Use cells to record video |
15% |
5% |
2% |
1% |
6% |
|
Would like this feature |
22% |
17% |
13% |
20% |
17% |
|
Use cells to access mobile maps and driving directions |
9% |
4% |
1% |
1% |
4% |
|
Would like this feature |
56% |
51% |
40% |
29% |
47% |
|
Use cells for watching video or TV programs |
5% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
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Would like this feature |
23% |
15% |
4% |
6% |
14% |
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Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, Associated Press, AOL cell phone survey. March 8-28, 2006. N=1,503 (752 contacted on landlines and 751 contacted on their cell phones). In all, 1,286 cell users are in the sample. The margin of error for the cell-using population is ±3%. | |||||
