Children treat e-mail as antiques

A study last month by Park Associates found that teenagers are no longer interested in e-mail. Communication tools instead are IM (Instant Message) and mobile phone.

According to Park Associates research, less than 20% of teens aged 13 to 17 use e-mail to communicate with friends, while the number is doubled between the ages of 25 and 40. Research has also shown that instant messaging (IM) is taking the place of e-mail. About 30% of the youth surveyed said they chat regularly with IM, while the rate for adults is only 11%.

Park Associates 'research director, John Barrett, commented that these figures are extremely honest and that it speaks of the upcoming trend of communication.' However, Barrett disagrees with the idea that the fate of email is similar to dinosaurs. He said that children will learn to use e-mail when they participate in important tasks such as applying for scholarships, contacting teachers or sending applications.

Park Associates' research is part of an online project called 'Habits of Time', studying young people's Internet communication habits.

Duc Thanh