New Research on Teens and Cell Phones and What it Means for BYOD Schools

PEW has just released a new study about teenagers (13-17 year olds) and their cell phone use and ownership.  It's very important for educators to know the statistics around digital divide so they can make more informed decisions around lesson planning.  For example if you teach in a predominately Hispanic school, it is a better decision to use mobile messaging apps over traditional Internet email (because Hispanic students are more likely to have access to Smartphones where they primarily use apps than desktop computers at home).  A few highlights from the study

Getting Online

• 88% of teenagers own a smartphone (with Internet) or basic cell phone (without Internet)
• Most teenagers send about 30 text (SMS) messages per day
• Most popular apps are KIK and WhatsApp
• 91% of teenagers primarily use a mobile device to go online
• If teenagers own a mobile device with Internet access, 94% go online daily, while only 68% of teenagers who own a mobile device without Internet access go online each day (through a stand alone computer or other type of device)

This is important for BYOD schools---keep in mind that students without mobile access to the Internet are less likely and/or able to get online daily for homework or class assignments.  

Digital Divide:  Access/Wealth

• 73% of teenagers (with phone) own or have access to a smartphone
• 27% of teenagers (with phone) own a featured phone (no Internet)
• Wealthier teenagers more likely to use SnapChat or WhatsApp over Facebook to socialize, while less wealthy more likely to use Facebook.

This is important for BYOD schools---keep in mind that about 30% cannot access the Internet through their phone, so plan lessons accordingly!

Digital Divide:  Racial/Ethnic

• 85% of African American teenagers own or have access to smartphone
• 71% of White or Hispanic teenagers own or have access to smartphone
• African-American and Hispanic youth report more frequent internet use than white teens, going online 
• African Americans and Hispanic teenagers more likely to use messaging Apps on Smartphones (46%) compared to While teenagers (24%).

Digital Divide:  Gender

• Girls are much more likely to participate in social media and apps around socialization
• Boys are much more likely to play games on their mobile devices

Posted by Anonymous

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