From “Teens and Technology” by The Pew Internet & American Life Project, as summarized by the Center for Media (taken verbatim):

About 21 million teens use the Internet and half of them say they go online every day

51% of online teens live in homes with broadband connections

81% of wired teens play games online, which is 52% higher than four years ago

76% of online teens get news online, 38% higher than four years ago

43% have made purchases online, 71% higher than four years ago

31% use the Internet to get health information, 47% higher than four years ago.

Girls are the power users:

97% of girls 15-17 have used instant messaging, compared to 89% of younger boys and girls and 87% of older boys

57% of older girls have ever sent a text message compared 40% of older boys 51% of older girls have bought something online

79% of girls 15-17 have gone online to search for information about a school they might attend, vs. 70% of older boys.

Older girls are more likely to search for information on health topics both mundane and sensitive, for spirituality or religious information, and for entertainment topics like favorite sports or movie stars or TV programs

The only problem with these numbers: Marketers are going to see that only 43% of teens have made online purchases and will therefore put them in the crosshairs.

[Note: I can’t find a working link to the Center’s report.] [Technorati tags: pew teenagers]

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