Home phones, seen as “free” and available, were the mostused
communication medium [3]. In the survey, girls
reported spending significantly more time on the phone
than did boys (means=1.24 v 0.67 hrs/night). Interviewed
girls described regularly chatting on the (cordless) phone
for hours, even with friends they’d just seen. Phones
seemed more “personal” than online media and were used
to discuss plans, assignments, “anything and everything”.
Teens’ social networks were reflected in their
communication patterns. Close friends typically saw each
other often (even daily), but they also were in contact
regularly via various communication media, including the
phone (cell or home) and IM. Predominant use of IM alone
tended to be reserved for remote friends and cousins,
classmates, acquaintances and friends of friends. Of
course, media choice was also influenced by friends’
possessions and preferences. Social maps focused on
close local friends that the teen “hung out” with; they
ranged from 6 to 25 (mode=9; mean=11.3), and included
school and neighborhood friends; fellow club, team or
church members, friends of other friends and some family.
Little hierarchical structure was shown. Teens may “hang
out” in groups, but 1 or 2 “best” friends were readily
identified. Closeness seemed more related to the ability to
talk openly and honestly “about everything” than to
frequency of contact per se. Most interviewees memorized
their closest friends’ phone numbers. Indeed, few contact
management tools were used; most teens relied on memory
or unorganized slips of paper, with only moderate success.