More Kids on Cell Phones

  • September 30, 2002
Four out of 10 American kids own some kind of wireless device, up sharply from last year. More kids own a cell phone than any other device, but ultra-light laptops have become the most popular. The number of kids ages 4 to 18 who own at least one mobile device grew from 32% last year to 43% this year. Devices include cell phones, Palms, PocketPCs, pagers and ultra-light laptops. Cell phones are owned by 33 percent, up from 22 percent last year. Pocket PCs are the least popular, owned by just 3%. The research is the longest running study on kids and the Internet. It was conducted jointly by Circle 1 Network and SpectraCom Inc. among kids ages 4 to 18 in June 2002. The companies started surveying kids on their Internet usage and preferences in 1996. An older child is more likely to own one or more wireless device. Nearly half of those aged 13 to 18 own one, compared to 42% ages 8-12 and 13% 7 and under. The ultra-light laptops are the most desired device, picked by more than six out of 10 kids. The study said it may be because children perceive them to have the most Internet capabilities.
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