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Cellphones the Key to Teen Cool, Study Says

Jim Liebelt

A study released recently at the CTIA trade show by Harris Interactive and CTIA-the Wireless Assn., shows that teens say that after clothing, a cellphone tells the most about a person's social status or popularity. That means that having an iPhone, say, will give you more cool points than if you have hip jewelry, swanky watches or the right shoes. Having the latest cellphone is "absolutely essential," according to 28% of all teens and 34% of kids 13 to 15 years old.

About 4 of every 5 teens carry cellphones, up 40% from 2004, and nearly half of them say having a cellphone is "key to my social life." They've turned into teenage mutant ninja texters: 42% of the teens surveyed said they could text while blindfolded. Surprisingly, male teens talk on their phones more than they text, while females text more than they talk.

About 75% of teens plan on having a mobile phone as long as they live, and about 40% believe a mobile phone is the only phone they’ll ever need (translation: no landline.)

Sources: Los Angeles Times, USA Today
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/09/cellphones-the.html
http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2008/09/40-of-teenagers.html  

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