According to a new AP-AOL Instant Messaging Trends Survey, nearly three in four (72%) teens who use instant messaging (IM) say they send more IMs than emails, as do one in four (26%) adults. The report may offer some insights to people planning SMS and IM services on mobile phones.
The survey, which examined instant messaging trends and usage habits among 1,513 IM users, further revealed that more than half of adults polled (54 percent) log on to send instant messages every day.
The survey also found that teens like to use instant messaging to share photos (56%), as well as share music and video files (33 percent). Meanwhile, adults are more likely than teens to engage in audio chat (19 percent vs. 15 percent) and video instant messaging (17% vs. 11%) with friends.
Instant messaging is a part of everyday life, especially among teens, who use IM to chat with friends, share experiences and stay in touch with family, said Marcien Jenckes, Vice President & General Manager, AIM & Social Networking, AOL. "This survey found that people are using instant messaging to share photos, listen to online radio and get more done each day. It's clear that IM is helping people better manage their lives and their relationships."
The report says that nearly one-third (30 percent) of teens say they can't imagine living without instant messaging. Teen girls are more likely than teen boys to feel this way (36% vs. 23%). Nearly one in five (17%) adults say they couldn't live without instant messaging.
Multi-tasking while online is very popular, as IM users tend to engage in multiple online activities while sending instant messages. Checking email is the most popular activity among eight in ten adult and teen IM users. Teens and adults under age 30 are most likely to log on to instant messaging at least several times a day (44%) as compared to all other age groups. Meanwhile, 40 percent of young adult IM users (ages 19-29) send 26 or more instant messages each day, significantly more than older adults.
One in four (27%) adult IM users say they send instant messages at work. Among at-work IM users, 59 percent send at least six or more IMs each day. More than one in four (41%) say that instant messaging makes them more productive in the workplace."
Posted to the site on 11th December 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/20866.php