11 16 mobile: examining mobile phone and ICT use amongst children aged 11 to 16

This study explores and examines the use of mobile phones and other ICT by children aged 11 –16. It uses newly obtained research data from around 90 children in this age group. Sixty seven kept 24hour diaries; some of the diarists participated with others in group discussion and interviews. Comparing and contrasting the material gathered with published work on adults and children, this study identifies how much and for what the respondents used their mobile phones and other ICT. Analysis of this data reveals common social practices within this age group and with adult users of mobile phones. It also finds them to be highly price sensitive and to have developed communication strategies that meant the mobile phone use was functional with chitchat kept until they got home and done using their home phone and PC. Never-the-less the mobile phone is a key feature in the maturation of 11 to16 year olds being used by them as a symbol for the ‘coming of age’ and by their parents as a means of contributing to managing the social and economic development of their children.