July 22nd, 2008
90% of Americans 18-28-year-old own a PC
According to the Forrester Research, although Gen Y is a small generation of 18- to 28-year-olds, comprising only 38 mln US adults, it sets the pace for technology adoption. 90% of Gen Yers own a PC, and 82% own a mobile phone. But it is technology use that sets this generation apart: Gen Y spends more time online — for leisure or work — than watching TV; 72% of Gen Y mobile phone owners send or receive text messages; 42% of online Gen Yers watch Internet video at least monthly. In contrast, Gen X, which is comprised of 29- to 42-year-olds - 63 mln US adults — uses technology when it intersects with a personal need or fulfills a desire. For example, 32% of Gen X households own an HDTV, and 29% have a DVR. In the past three months, 69% of online Gen Xers shopped online and 65% banked online, higher percentages than any other generation. Gen X is also ramping up its Internet and mobile activities, including reading blogs (21% of online Gen Xers do it at least monthly, up from 15% in 2007) and texting (61% of Gen X mobile subscribers do it today, up from 49% in 2007).
