Every generation of young people seems to be misunderstood by their elders, and today’s teens are no exception. While adults may accuse adolescents of preferring electronics to face-to-face contact, March data on teenage internet users in the US from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that advocates for kids and families, shows that claim may be unfounded, or at least deserves qualification.
Nearly half of 13- to 17-year-old respondents said their favorite way to communicate with friends was in person. Texting was a close second, though, with one-third saying they preferred it.
Among those who liked texting better, 30% said it was the quickest way to communicate, 23% said it was easiest and 16% said it gave them more time to think about how to respond. For those who preferred face-to-face communication, 38% indicated that it was more fun, while 29% said they could better understand what people mean in person.
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