Teenagers around the world use technology to keep in touch. But what are the rules? And who in the family decides what is okay? Ericsson ConsumerLab conducted an online study of 2000 US teenagers, aged 13-17, to find out. The study found that even if children have more say in how to use technology, parents are still much involved in how and when their young teenagers are using computers, mobile phones and Facebook. Facebook and "how to use the computer" are the two things parents seem to have strict rules about, especially for those aged 13-14. Around 30 percent of parents typically make the decisions for their children at this age.

1. Technology usage
and social life –
do teenagers have
a say?
ConsumerLab
www.ericsson.com/consumerlab

2. Teenagers have more
say in how and when to
use technology than
who to socialize with
There are few parents who let their children decide entirely who they can socialize with,
even at the age of 17. Meeting friends in real life seems to create more concerns than
meeting friends online.
When it comes to technology, children have more say
Even if children have more say in how to use
technology, parents are still much involved in how
and when their young teenagers are using computers,
mobile phones and Facebook. Facebook and “how to
use the computer” are the two things parents seem to
have strict rules about, especially for those aged 13-14.
Around 30 percent of parents typically make the decision
for their children at this age.
Socialize with Facebook
100% 100%
80% 80%
60% 60%
40% 40%
20% 20%
0% 0%
13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17
Mobile phones Computer
100% 100%
80% 80%
60% 60%
40% 40%
20% 20%
0% 0%
13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17
Parents decide completely Parents mostly decide
Both decides Decide mostly yourself
Decide completely yourself
Source: Ericsson ConsumerLab On-line study 2011 with 2000 US teenagers 13-17 years old.

3. Age and parenting style matters
The parents’ decision-making for their teenagers is a Noticeably, the majority of teenagers and parents jointly
combination of their consideration of the child’s age and decide things (democratic parenting style). And there is
their parenting style. By understanding the parenting hardly any difference in how the parents make decisions
style, we can also predict how decisions are made about for the different genders.
technology usage.
Apparently something happens when children turn 16,
as many more of them can make their own decisions at
Five parenting styles seen
that age. Most parents let go of full control at this age,
from the teenagers’ view
except for the more authoritarian parents, who retain
their say in all age groups.
Authoritarian – The parents have strict rules, with
limitations on not only how to use certain devices
Demanding
but also where you can use them. (9%)
Directive
Authoritarian
Directive – These parents are demanding but also
responsive. (14%)
Democratic
Democratic – Their decision-making process is
Responsive Unresponsive
more participatory and more inclusive. The parents
and children decide together. (50%)
Permissive Low
involvement
Permissive – Allow considerable self-regulation,
and avoid confrontation. The children decide a lot
themselves. (15%)
Undemanding
Low involvement – These parents are low in both
Ericsson ConsumerLab has translated the teenagers’ view into a model responsiveness and demands. The children make
built on Maccoby and Martin’s theory of family styles. their own decisions. (12%)
Source: Ericsson ConsumerLab On-line study 2011 with 2000 US teenagers 13-17 years old.

4. What are you allowed to have in your own room? Children “wear the technology” as the adults will
Around 85-90 percent of teenagers between 13-17 are never fully catch up
allowed to have their mobile and iPod touch in their Children’s knowledge about technology mostly
room. The great majority also have a TV in their room. exceeds that of their parents – and that gives them a
And there is no difference between ages or gender. natural advantage in the decision process. Nowadays
it is not uncommon for children to help out in both
purchase decisions as well as solving technology
It is a tough call to get permission to use your issues in the home.
computer in your own room
With the computer there is a different story. Only half This might explain the generation gap in how much
of the 13 year olds were allowed to have a computer in parents understand how technology can and is being
their room. Even at the age of 17 34 percent of boys and
, used by their children. How many understand that an
28 percent of girls are not allowed to have a computer in iPod touch or mobile phone can be used as a computer?
their room. Clearly there is a difference in how parents
view the mobile and the computer. This might mean that it will be harder for the authoritarian
and directive parents to retain full control – because
their children will be one step ahead both in technology
Parents – Watch out! knowledge and usage.
Around 40 percent of the US teenagers in the age
group 13-17 have a smartphone. And if you are not Even if the internet is used by all age groups, there is
using one today, you certainly would like to have one. still a difference in how important it is for different
generations. A total of 57 percent of teenagers
This means that most teenagers in a few years’ time completely agree that “it is important to have access
will have a smartphone that can be used in the same to the internet wherever I am,” compared to only
way as a computer. It is time for parents to reevaluate 24 percent of the seniors. Teenagers do not have a
the mobile phone or maybe even more important: to problem using new technology while 40 percent of
learn how it works. the seniors need help using it.
It’s important for me to For me to use a new
Ownership of mobile phones be able to access the technology product,
Internet wherever I am somebody has to show
Smartphone Regular phone me how to use it
100%
Seniors Parents Teenagers
70 80%
60
60 55 55 60%
53
48 49 40%
50 44 57%
42 20% 35%
41%
24% 23%
40 0%
10%
32 32
30 Source: Ericsson ConsumerLab Infocom Study 2011.
20
The key learnings are that teenagers’ technology
10 usage not only depends on their age, but also on what
parenting style their parents have. Another important
0
factor is what knowledge the parents themselves have
13 14 15 16 17
of technology, which will help to form their opinions
Source: Ericsson ConsumerLab On-line study 2011 with 2000 US teenagers 13-17 years old. and, in turn, influence their children’s technology usage.
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