of Americans aged 5-24 will own cell phones by the year 2010 (Stewart).
A Harris Interactive and CTIA national survey of teens aged 13 to 19 found that nearly half-47%-say that their social life "would end or be worsened without their cell phone," and nearly 6 in 10-57%-"credit their mobile device with improving their life ("Cell Phones Key to Teens' Social Lives"). Teens surveyed in the study reported that "they view their cell phone as the key to their social life," suggesting that teens communicate with and plan social meetings and events by cell phone ("Cell Phones Key to Teens' Social Lives"). The survey found that teens regard a person's cell phone as "second only to clothing" as an indicator of social status or popularity, even more so than jewelry, watches, or shoes ("Cell Phones Key to Teens' Social Lives"). In addition, 80% of the teens surveyed stated that they felt more secure having a cell phone, with 79% using it when they needed a ride, 51% using it to get important information, and 35% using it to help someone in distress ("Cell Phones Key to Teens' Social Lives").
Some interesting trends were identified by the survey. One is that texting has replaced talking, with teens admitting that they spend almost as much time texting each month as they do talking because it is faster, permits multitasking, allows them to avoid verbal communication if they want to, and "it is fun" ("Cell Phones Key to Teens' Social Lives"). This trend is so strong that 42% of teens claim the ability to text blindfolded ("Cell Phones Key to Teens' Social Lives"). According to Joseph Porus, VP and chief architect of the Technology Group at Harris Interactive, "Teens have created a new form of communication" ("Cell Phones Key to Teens' Social Live
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