NEW YORK-Nearly one-third of kids in the United States have their own mobile phones, while 48 percent of European kids said they own mobile phones, according to a new study by TNS.
TNS said the report findings demonstrate that American kids make spending choices based on entertainment. About 41 percent of U.S. kids with mobile phones said they download games, which represents a much higher percentage than in Europe, said the report. In addition, 38 percent of U.S. kids use mobile phones to download ring tones, and 34 percent use their mobile phones to take pictures.
The report found 73 percent of U.S. kids who own mobile phones say having mobile phones makes them feel safe, especially among those between 10 and 14 years old. Sixty percent of all kids use their mobile phones to call friends, and 59 percent use their phones to call family. Thirty-six percent of U.S. kids use text messaging to communicate with friends, while 30 percent text message their parents.
The findings are part of the TNS Online Kids Report, which surveyed more than 20,000 kids ages 6 through 14 from France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
