The Global Habbo Youth Survey reveals teenagers are using mobiles for entertainment
In the space of just one year, teenagers across the world are changing the way they use their mobile phones, with most now regularly using their handsets as entertainment devices, according to the Global Habbo Youth Survey, which surveyed 58,486 teens between the ages 11 and 18 from 31 countries.
Today, 71 per cent of teenagers are using their mobiles as a portable mp3 player, compared to just 38% of teens who used their handset to listen to music in the 2006 survey. 80 percent of teens in Singapore, Italy and Austria listened to music in this way, though teens in Japan and Finland listen to music on their mobiles the least. In the UK 78 per cent of teens listen to music on their mobile.
Additionally, 70 per cent of teens are now using their mobile to take photos and videos, an 11 percentage points increase compared to 2006. 64 per cent now play games on their mobile compared to 51 per cent in 2006. Over a quarter of teens also use their mobile to surf the net, email and send instant messages.
Aside from talking, text messages are still the most popular phone function, with 88 per cent of teens regularly communicating via SMS. Using the internet to Instant Message friends is also one of the most popular communication tools in most countries surveyed. 77 per cent of teens globally use the internet to Instant Message friends and this is reflected in the UK with 81 per cent.
Though 72 per cent of teens still hold active email accounts, the majority of communication with peers is no longer conducted over email. The survey revealed that email is generally reserved by teens more for non-personal needs such as school or work, or correspondence with family members.
The most popular global websites among teens are YouTube and MySpace. Of those surveyed, 50 percent said that they forward humorous links and videos to their friends, while 30 percent regularly upload content. In the UK, the most popular sites were Bebo and YouTube.
For the study, Habbo identified five clearly defined behavioural segments amongst the respondents.
Achievers: Ambitious, strong minded and materialistic. They value material success and while having lots of friends do not consider other people’s feelings as much as other segments
Rebels: Value gathering lots of experiences in life and enjoy a fast-paced lifestyle. Like Achievers they want to become “rich and famous”, but they are not willing to compromise on having fun in order to achieve this goal
Traditionals: Value having an ordinary life and see themselves as honest, polite and obedient. They are keen to help others but are less ambitious and pleasure seeking compared to other segments
Creatives: Share many of the same positive traits as Traditionals, but with a focus on creativity. They place value in getting a good education and being influential in life, but they are also active, social and have an interest in travelling
Loners: More introverted and less likely than other segments to identify with any specific personality traits. They rarely see themselves as active or self-assured, but are more open minded in their attitudes compared to Traditionals or Achievers