Pew Research - Young Adults, Mobile Phones, and Social Media

Lenhart, A. (2013). Young adults, mobile phones and social media: technology and the transition to adulthood. Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/05/07/young-adults-mobile-phones-and-social-media-technology-and-the-transition-to-adulthood/

Lenhart discusses how young adults ages 18-29 use mobile phones and social media and the ways that this has changed how teens make the transition from childhood to adulthood. During late adolescence, technology influences access to people and places.    In the year 2000, only 46% of adults used the internet and only 53% owned a cell phone.  No one used wireless internet or social network sites.  Twelve years later, 82% of adults use the internet, 88% are cell phone users, and 65% of online adults use social network sites.

Mobile connectivity changes access to people and information.  81% of men and 80% of women cell phone users use their phones to send and receive text messages. However, in young adults the percentage is 97%.   57% of men and 56% of women cell phone users use their phones to access the internet (77% of young adults).

Cell phones allow us to manage and record our life on the go.  94% of 18-29 year-olds takes photos with their phones.  68% of this age group record videos, 65% do email, and 45% do their banking.  All on their phones and on the go.  They are also more likely to use social networking sites than older age groups.

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