Cell phones, social networking websites and landline phones are popular,
but youth are cautious on their use
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. teens now live in a world
in which the Internet, cell phones, text messaging and other technology
dominate their communication and are an integral part of life as they
understand it. Despite the hype about very public breakups using modern
technology, young people still seem to grasp the rules for these
communication tools and know when it is appropriate to use these items to
gather information and when to avoid them altogether. According to Suzanne
Martin, Ph.D., Youth and Education Researcher at Harris Interactive, "Teens
utilize different modes of communication in different social contexts."
When the tone of a communication is serious, such as arguing and
breaking up with someone, teens realize that communication tools may not be
the best avenue of discussion. Two in three teens (67%) would not break up
with someone and two in five (42%) would not argue with a friend over
phones, email, instant messaging, text messaging, or social networking
sites. When choosing a communication tool, teens will most likely choose to
use cell phones and landline phones to talk to a friend about something
serious or important (cell phone 34%, landline phone 23%); apologize to a
friend (cell phone 22%, landline phone 20%); or break up with someone (cell
phone 14%, landline phone 9%).
These are just some of the results of a Harris Interactive
YouthQuery(SM) omnibus of 1,726 U.S. youth ages 8 through 18, which was
conducted online from December 14 to 22, 2006. The survey was conducted in
collaboration with marketing professors Elizabeth Moore, Ph.D. and William
Wilkie, Ph.D. of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre
Dame. Although the survey was conducted among youth ages 8 through 18, the
information in this document will focus on teens ages 13 through 18.
Teens are cautious when using technology
Caution abound, teens generally shy away from using certain
communication tools to discuss personal items. About one in three teens say
they are not comfortable gossiping, sharing secrets or having private
conversations using phones, email, instant or text messaging. Teens feel
more comfortable discussing touchy subjects when using instant messaging
(29%), than cell phones (14%), text messaging (11%) and social networking
websites (10%).
Overall, teens are most comfortable using cell phones, instant
messaging and landline phones to have a private conversation (cell phone
29%, instant messaging 16%, landline phone 15%), sharing a secret (cell
phone 25%, instant messaging 11%, landline phone, 14%) and gossiping (cell
phone 17%, instant messaging 17%, landline phone 14%). Teens are also more
likely to hear rumors about people through instant messaging (31%) and
social networking website (27%).
Cell phones impact day to day communication as well
Not surprisingly, general teen day to day communications occur most
over cell phones, social networking websites and landline phones. Cell
phones are the number one choice for arranging to meet with friends (36%),
having quick conversations (29%), contacting a friend when bored (25%) and
inviting people to a party or event (22%). Social networking websites are
the choice of communication when staying in touch with friends (24%),
leaving short messages (23%) and contacting a friend in different school or
town (21%).
When comparing the different modes of communication, youth feel they
would be most likely to miss out on the activities with friends if they
didn't have a cell phone (29%). If teens want to feel more outgoing and
have more time to think about what they have to say, they are more likely
to use instant messaging to communicate over cell phones, text messaging or
social networking websites.
Methodology
The Harris Interactive YouthQuery(SM) omnibus was conducted online
within the United States between December 14 and 22, 2006 among a
nationwide cross section of 1,726 youth ages 8 through 18 (703 tweens, ages
8-12; 1,023 teens, ages 13 to 18). Figures for age, sex, race, education,
parents' education, region and urbanicity were weighted where necessary to
bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.
In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95
percent certainty that the results would have a sampling error of +/- 3
percentage points of what they would be if the entire U.S. teen population
had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several
other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably
more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include
refusals to be interviewed (nonresponse), question wording and question
order, and weighting. It is impossible to quantify the errors that may
result from these factors. This online sample was not a probability sample.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the
National Council on Public Polls.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 12th largest and fastest-growing market
research firm in the world. The company provides innovative research,
insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident
decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in
performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of
the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online
market research methods. The company has built what it believes to be the
world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris
Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and
Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a
global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau,
HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data
collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking
research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be
obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com.
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online and be invited to
participate in online surveys, register at http://go.hpolsurveys.com/PR.
Press Contacts:
Tracey McNerney
Harris Interactive
585-214-7756
Harris Interactive Inc. 1/07
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