Texting Volume Is Up while the Frequency of Voice Calling Is Down
Texting is the dominant daily mode of communication between teens and all those with whom they communicate.
The volume of texting among teens has risen from 50 texts a day in 2009 to 60 texts for the median teen text user. The frequency of teens' phone chatter with friends - on cell phones and landlines - has fallen. But the heaviest texters are also the heaviest talkers with their friends.
Smartphones are gaining teenage users. Some 23% of all those ages 12-17 say they have a smartphone and ownership is highest among older teens: 31% of those ages 14-17 have a smartphone, compared with just 8% of youth ages 12-13.
See the full report which includes the demographics of teen smartphone owners and texters, as well as findings about how they use their devices.
