Handset Theft Amongst Adolescents Reaches New Heights
The prevalence of mobile phone theft and other forms of mobile phone crime in the UK has become a widespread problem, according to a new survey conducted by Juniper Research, with 70% of young consumers surveyed associated in some way with a victim of mobile theft.
The findings by Juniper Research support those by Halifax Home Insurance who claim that on average, one mobile phone is stolen in the UK alone every 12 seconds. The article was based on figures by Halifax combined with government statistics, claiming more than 2 million phones stolen at a cost of 390 million pounds in 2005 alone.
Juniper's survey questioned a wide demographic including young mobile consumers aged 5 to 20 years, while enlisting a contrast of opinion from parents and teachers. The survey - covering purchasing and spending patterns, security issues, and time spent on and relative importance of mobile phones in today's youth culture - raised a number of concerns.
According to Juniper figures, theft appears intrinsically wound within young mobile consumer culture with 70% of those aged 5 to 20 years having an experience in some way with mobile theft. Figures supported by over one half of all responding parents, and 83 per cent of teachers who expressed their respective experience of mobile theft through their children and students.
Juniper survey author Nick Parkins is in no doubt as to the significance of parental response to mobile theft, saying: "Despite being one step removed from the 'front line' as far as mobile theft is concerned, and the inconsistent filtering of information from adolescents to parents in lifestyle matters, including personal security, the incidence remains markedly high".
The survey further considered other security concerns associated with adolescent mobile use, with 27% of 5 to 20 year olds the victims of mobile mugging, or associated with someone who has. A further 22% registered having been, or associated with, a victim of bullying via mobile phone."
Posted to the site on 15th June 2006