Mining PEW

Madden, M., Lenhart, A., Duggan, M., Cortesi, S., & Gasser, U.  (2013).  Teens &
     technology 2013.  PEW Internet.  Retrieved on July 29, 2014 from           http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/03/13/teens-and-technology-2013/


This report focuses on teens and their use of technology in 2013.  For the past eight years, the number of teens who use the internet has remained steady at 95%.  However, what's changing is the way teens access the internet.  Before, teens were using desktop computers or laptops to go on the internet, but now, with a significant increase in teens with smartphones and tablets, this has changed.  Nowadays, teens prefer to go on the internet using their smartphones or tablets instead.  According to the report, about three-fourths of all U.S. teens are "mobile internet users."  Out of these, one-fourth use their cell phones only to access the internet.  Interestingly, this applies more to girls than boys, especially older teen girls.

The report also indicates that about 93% of U.S. teens either have access to a computer or own one.  More white teens own computers than blacks or Latinos.  About seven out of ten teens that have access to a computer may have to share one with family members.  About one-fourth of teens own a tablet and almost 80% of teens own cellphones, about half of these are smartphones.
 
I agree with the report that it is important to pay attention to what teens are doing with technology because they are the ones that set the trends for others.  Therefore, it is an indication of what is to come.  I wasn't really surprised with the findings in that I see this happening every single day either at my school or in my community.

I don't think I would like to be a teenager nowadays because although the technological advances of today are extraordinary, I feel that kids can never really disconnect.  I grew up in the 80s and life for teens back then was much more relaxed.  We were connected but with our family and friends.  To me that is more important.   Don't get me wrong, technology is great, but we don't necessarily have to be connected 24/7.



Report Length:  19 pages
Count do date:    126/150 pages