It's no big surprise, but official now, I guess: Texting is now teens' No. 1 reason for using cellphones, but using apps is their fastest-growing activity, ReadWriteMobile reports, citing Nielsen research. This year 43% of US 13-to-17-year-olds say texting is their top reason for mobile adoption. "Safety, the number one reason back in 2008, has now fallen to second place with only 35% citing this … [Read more...] about US teens’ mobile use: Nielsen update
mobile
Cyberbullying vs. digital dating abuse
There are more similarities than differences between cyberbullying and digital dating abuse, it appears, so let's be clear on what they are. The main difference is pretty obvious: A cyberbullying situation usually involves at least two people who don't like or have much to do with each other, while digital dating abuse involves "two people who are attracted to each other on some level," according … [Read more...] about Cyberbullying vs. digital dating abuse
Top tech gadgets for Americans 18+: Study
Americans definitely like their technology mobile. Cellphones are the US's most popular gadget, according to a just-released study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, with 85% of Americans 18+ and 75% of US teens owning one. Among all the gadgets covered in the Pew survey, the desktop computer was the only non-mobile one. It came in second, with 59% of US adults owning one, but with … [Read more...] about Top tech gadgets for Americans 18+: Study
Revisiting FB’s Places (& kids’ use of it)
A bit more on Facebook's location-sharing product, Places (here's my last post on it ). I don't think Places is going to be all that popular with people under 16 (non-drivers), except maybe urban dwellers with easy access to public transport. But I could turn out to be wrong and would appreciate hearing from you if you're finding that kids at your house or school are using it a lot (pls email … [Read more...] about Revisiting FB’s Places (& kids’ use of it)
Texting beats driving for teens
Texting doesn't just beat out social networking for teens by more than 2 to 1, as Pew/Internet reported last spring, it also beats driving. Parent and Forbes writer Jim Motavalli has both anecdotal and numerical evidence, and I'm seeing the exact same thing at my house and in the research. Motavalli's just-turned-16-year-old is entirely ho-hum about getting her driver's license, and that was the … [Read more...] about Texting beats driving for teens