Cell phones were owned by 64% of surveyed older teens v
10% of young teens; a statistically significant effect. Cell
phones tended to be bought by parents on family plans,
often when teens start dating or driving, largely for
security/emergency reasons. Teens enjoyed cell phone
convenience, and some had to pay for overuse. Cell
phones provided contact with family and friends and were
used to continuously co-ordinate and refine plans (“hypercoordinate”[
2]). Cell phones provide direct private
connection (without family intervention), and sometimes
became the primary contact medium [2]. Pagers were
cheaper but rarer; most teens bought them themselves.
Pager codes (like IM abbreviations) were commonly used.