Text Messaging Improves Parent-Teen Relationship

New Survey by Samsung Mobile Explores Family Attitudes Toward Text Communication

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today the findings of a survey focused on family texting habits. The survey revealed that text messaging has broadened the lines of communication for many parents and teens, with over half of those reporting it has actually improved their relationship.

“Finding a way to communicate with teenagers can be difficult for many parents”

TEENS TEACH TEXT

Teens are text messaging far more than their parents; however, the survey suggests that teens are also passing their text know-how on to mom and dad.

• On average, teens send 455 text messages each month and receive 467 – that’s roughly 15 text messages sent and 16 messages received each day.
• On average, parents send 84 text messages each month and receive 96.
• Almost six in ten (57%*) moms and dads who text, say their kids have helped them become better texters.
• And teens are taking notice. When it comes to their parents’ skills, nearly seven in ten (66%) teens believe mom and dad are doing a fair or good job at texting.

RELATIONSHIP, MEET TEXT

As parents join the world of texting, the survey suggests that more parent-teen communication is being conducted by text.

• Nearly seven in ten (68%) American parents communicate with their kids by text message.
• Nearly six in ten (56%) teens, ages 13 – 19, report that they communicate more often with their parents since they began text messaging.

THE VERDICT: TEXTING IS IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS

Not only are more and more parents and teens communicating through text, but for many, text messaging has actually played a role in improving their relationship.

• More than half (53%) of teens that text message think their relationship with their parents has improved because of text messaging.
• More than half (51%) of parents who text with their teens agree that they communicate more often with their kids now than they did before they began text messaging and that text messaging has actually improved their relationship.

“Finding a way to communicate with teenagers can be difficult for many parents,” said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Telecommunications America. “What this survey shows is that communicating with teens the same way they communicate with each other, by text messaging, may be a great way for some parents to improve the lines of communication. And with more than a billion text messages now being sent each day, I think we will see this new trend in parent-teen communication continue to grow.”

The survey, commissioned by Samsung Mobile, was conducted by Kelton Research and included 300 American teens ages 13 – 19 and 500 American parents with children ages 13 – 19.

*All decimals are rounded to the nearest percentage point. This may result in certain numerical totals adding up to slightly more or slightly less than 100%.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.