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[July 28, 2005] Teen-Tech News, Pt. I Tweet A survey by Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that teens are using the Internet in record numbers. By DAVID R. BUTCHER, Assistant Editor, Customer Interaction Solutions A new survey compiled by Pew Internet & American Life Project reported yesterday that nearly nine out of 10 young people — ages 12 through 17 — have online access. This is an increase of about three-quarters of 2000's youth. Interestingly, about three-quarters of 1,100 teen Internet users surveyed said they get their news online. That's an increase of about 38 percent, compared with 2000 results. A 17-year-old boy noted to the Associated Press that he first got access to the Internet when he was 13, as did most of those who were surveyed. He blogs and "loves to use instant messaging to stay in touch with friends," though noting that he and his friends also see Internet use more as a tool for communication and research than "a novelty." AP reported that there are still about three million young people who remain without Internet access, "which is cause for concern," as the survey found that many are low-income and a disproportionate number are black. The 1,100 young survey respondents were contacted randomly by phone. The survey, which was completed late last year, has a margin of error of four percentage points. Its findings included the following: • Of those surveyed, 87 percent said they use the Internet. About half of the young people with online access say they go on the Internet every day, up from 42 percent in 2000. • Three-quarters of wired teens use instant message (IM), compared with 42 percent of online adults who do so. Teens most often reserve instant messaging for friends and e-mail for adults, including parents and teachers. • About half of families with teens who have an Internet connection have speedier broadband access, while the other half still use phone lines to connect. • Nearly a third of teens who use IM have used it to send a music or video file. • Older teen girls who were surveyed, ages 15 to 17, are among the most intense users of the Internet and cell phones (including text messaging). By comparison, about 66 percent of American adults now use the Internet. ----- David Butcher is Assistant Editor of Customer Interaction Solutions. To see more articles by David R. Butcher, please visit: http://www.tmcnet.com/tmcnet/columnists/columnist.aspx?id=100008&nm=David%20 R.%20Butcher [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]