Pew Internet has another fascinating report based on a recent survey looking at how college students use technology.
College students and technology
Undergraduate students, graduate students and community college students had the highest percentages of cell phone ownership (96%, 99%, 94% respectively) when compared to adults of all ages (82%) and non-students in the 18 to 24 year age range (89%). Tablet ownership, on the other hand, was able the same for all groups (5%, 5%, 4% for the three student groups) and 4% for both adults of all ages and non-student young adults. Ebook reader ownership was about the same (4 to 5%) for all adults, non-students and community college students. However, ebook reader ownership is higher for both undergraduages (9%) and graduate students (7%).
Internet and email use on cell phones was high across the board for young people (18-24) regardless of whether they were in school or not (60+%). Only (relatively speaking) 41% of adults access the Internet and email on their phone.
Social networking site use was highest for non-students in the 18 to 24 age group (88%). However, undergraduates, graduate students and community college students were not far behind (86%, 82%, 78%).
A new Pew Internet report suggests that newspapers and radio are falling behind TV and the Internet as sources of news. The report, subtitled “How Internet and cell phone users have turned news into a social experience,” shows that over 60% of Americans are getting a portion of their news online. Only 50-54% get their news from a local newspaper or the radio. However, over 90% use multiple sources — as many as “four to six media platforms” — for their news.