LONDON: A Pew Research Center survey released found that 92% of US teens go online daily.
That includes 56% who are online several times a day and 24% who say they are connected to the Internet and social networks “almost constantly.”
A key factor is the growing prevalence of smart phones.
The survey of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 found that 73% had a Smartphone and 30% had at least a basic cell phone.
Even though 87% of teens have access to a computer, 91% went online daily using a mobile device at least occasionally, Pew found.
The survey found that African-American and Hispanic youth are among the most active Internet users.
Among African-American teens, 34% reported going online “almost constantly” as did 32% of Hispanic youth and 19% of white teens.
“American teens, especially African-American youth, have embraced smart phones and the 24/7 access to people and information that they offer,” said Amanda Lenhart, a Pew researcher and the lead author of the report.
Some 90% of teens with phones exchange text messages, with a typical teenager receiving 30 texts per day, Pew found. And one-third of those with smart phones use messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Kik.
