TORONTO – Technology not only plays a key role in keeping students connected with their parents, it also helps to eliminate the generation gap, according to a new research report commissioned by Rogers Communications.
The survey, conducted by Vision Critical for the latest Rogers Innovation Report, focuses on how Canadian youth and parents of youth use mobile technology. From July 13-16, an online survey was conducted with 509 Angus Reid Forum panelists aged 18 to 24, and 511 parents of 18 to 24 year olds. All respondents either subscribe to the Internet at home or have a data plan with their cell phones.
While nearly one third of Canadian parents (29%) consider themselves to be tech savvy, 43% still turn to their kids for help on how to get the most out of their devices, according to the report, which also found that half of parents (52%) surveyed consider their kids to be much savvier than they are at using technology like smart phones and tablets.
Other highlights from the report include:
– Almost one third (29%) of parents surveyed say technology allows them to be closer to their children than they were with their own parents;
– Youth and parents say texting is their preferred smart phone and tablet activity (94% for youth and 82% for parents);
– Youth and parents largely look to the same brands when choosing a smart phone;
– The majority of youth and parents (both 97%) choose email as the number one computer activity;
– Apps are popular with both parents and youth: 79% of youth and 56% parents download apps on their smart phones and tablets, with both youth and parents having close to 14 apps on average on their devices.
"The latest Innovation Report findings show that technology isn't dividing the generations, it's bringing families closer together," said Robert Switzman, Rogers’ senior director of emerging business, in the report’s news release. "We see how kids are now playing a leading role teaching parents how to get the most out of their smart phones, tablets and other devices. And as many parents prepare to send their kids off to college or university this year, they will rely on this technology to stay connected with their kids."
