Parents say text messaging is the most cost-effective way to keep tabs on their offspring, according to a survey from AT&T, conducted by Synovate. Parents felt pricing plans were high, but had positive opinions for text messaging.
Survey Data:
- Nearly three-fourths of texting parents (73%) think teens are more responsive to text messages than to other forms of communication, 56% say it makes their children easier to reach.
- 79% of parents said they text with their children most often to tell them to come or phone home, the most common type of parent-child text message.
- 76% text to work out logistical arrangements and 74% send kids a loving message via text.
Children say they text their parents most often to tell them when they’re going to be home (88%), that they’re safe (78%) and to ask to be picked up (75%).
The Parent Perspective
- 87% of parents say their child is on an unlimited text messaging plan.
- 50% of parents think text messaging makes them a “cool” parent.
- 55% say they have more frequent communication with their child by texting.
- 61% percent say text messaging is the most cost-effective way to exchange messages with their child, compared with phone calls, e-mails and instant messages.
- 53% of parents say their child taught them how to text (vs.42% of kids who said a friend taught them how to text).
- 33% of parents began texting for the first time so they could reach their child.
The Teen/Young Adult Perspective
- 84% of kids say text messaging is easier than calling friends.
- 82% say texting makes it easier to tell their parents where they are.
- Kids like the privacy of text messaging (65%), the cool/hip factor (49%) and say it’s a better use of time than calling (48%).
- 53% of children sent a text for the first time because it was an easier way to stay in touch with friends.