And you thought Gen Y was the gadget-driven, totally connect generation.  I was utterly shocked by this Online Media Daily story:

The Nielsen Co. released the findings of an in-depth study on the mobile media and cross-media behavior of U.S. “tweens” (ages 8-12). The report estimates that: 35% of tweens own a mobile phone, 20% of tweens have used text messaging, and 21% of tweens have used ring & answer tones.

While text-messaging and ringtones remain the most pervasive non-voice functions on the phone, other content such as downloaded wallpapers, music, games and Internet access also rank high among tweens. According to Nielsen, 5% of tweens access the Internet over their phone each month. While 41% of tween mobile Internet users say they do so while commuting or traveling (to school, for example), mobile content such as the Internet is also a social medium for this audience: 26% of tween mobile Internet users say they access the Web while at a friend’s house, and 17% say they do so at social events.

As the father of a “tween” I am surprised that this many kids (my old school name for them) have a cell phone yet alone access to the Internet.  And they are texting already?  I can’t help but think this upcoming generation, combined with future technological advancements, will someday make Gen Y look like stodgy old dinosaurs.

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Posted By Derrick Moe | Generations, Trends | |