• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer, August 1, 2005

A new report, "Teens and Technology" by The Pew Internet & American Life Project, finds that the number of teenagers using the Internet has grown 24% in the past four years, and 87% of those between the ages of 12 and 17 are online. In short, says the report, "the Internet and cell phones have become a central force that fuels the rhythm of daily life. "Some of the highlights of the report show that:

• 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.

Amanda Lenhart, Senior Research Specialist co-author, says "Increasing numbers of teenagers live in a world... that they can access at will." When asked about networked devices such as desktop and laptop computers, cell phones, and blackberries, 84% of teens reported owning at least one of these devices. 45% of teens have their own cells phones.

Email, once "killer app," is losing its privileged place among many teens as they express preferences for instant messaging (IM) and text messaging as ways to connect with their friends. 75% of online teens use instant messaging and the average amount of time spent instant messaging in a day has increased over the last four years. Email is seen as a tool for communicating with "adults," while IM is used for everyday conversations with multiple friends that range from casual to serious and private exchanges.

Teens may come to expect access to the virtual world from any physical world location. They are accessing the Internet from a variety of locations, including their homes, schools, community centers, libraries, and friends' and relatives' houses. 

• 87% of teens have ever logged on from home
• 78% of teens log on from school
• 74% of teens log on from a friend or relative's house
• 54% of teens log on at the library
• 9% of teens log on from a community center, youth center or house of worship

Girls ages 15-17-year-old are the power users of the online teen cohort. Older girls dominate in use of email, IM, text messaging, and selected information-seeking activities:

• 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

See the full report here.