Trends in Teen Communication: Opportunities and Challenges for Public Health Campaigns
Kristen Purcell, Associate Director for ResearchAmanda Lenhart, Senior Research Specialist
Pew Internet & American Life Project
Above the Influence Campaign SummitWashington, DCSeptember 29th, 2010
• Part of the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan “fact tank” based in Washington, DC
• Provide high quality, objective data to thought leaders and policy makers
• Funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts
• All teen trends are based on nationally representative telephone surveys of US teens ages 12-17 drawn from dual-frame (RDD/cell) samples
Today’s Discussion
1) Teen Internet Use– Whose online?
– What do teens actually do online?
2) Teen Communication Trends– The rise of mobile
– Teen communication preferences and trends
3) Final Thoughts– What does this mean for public health
campaigns?
US Teen and Adult Internet Use
Teen Internet Access
Online social network sites
US Adult and Teen Social Media Use
Percent of internet users in each age group who use…
Teen Social Network Site Use by Age
Teen Twitter use
What else do teens do online?
Content Sharing is Flat for Teens
Remixing is flat
Blogging is on the decline
Online health information seeking
Summary of US Teen Online Activities
• 93% of teens are internet users• 73% of online teens use SNS (up 50%)• 14% blog (down 50%)• 8% use Twitter
• 38% share content online (steady)
• 62% get news about current events and politics• 48% buy things online• 31% get health, dieting, fitness info• 17% get info about sensitive health topics
US Teen Mobile Use
US Teen Mobile Use
US Teen Mobile Use
Final Thoughts• Teen SNS use is on the rise, but Twitter is not
the tool of choice
• Cell phones leap frog connectivity roadblocks for low income, minority teens (and adults)
• Teens are not monolithic – so a multi-pronged approach is prudent
• Changes suggest a move towards mobile…
• …but teens do not always embrace the newest thing
Thank you!
Kristen PurcellAssociate Director for ResearchEmail: [email protected]: http://twitter.com/kristenpurcell
Amanda LenhartSenior Research SpecialistEmail: [email protected]: http://twitter.com/amanda_lenhart
