CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide a rich view of teen communication
patterns, and demonstrate the importance of going beyond
large survey data to better understand nuances of usage to
temper untested claims. They will serve to inform further
interviews and to suggest converging future research.
Design implications include the following:
--Lightweight tools to connect with friends (and romantic
interests), reduce boredom, and co-ordinate plans are of
great interest to teens.
--Focus on core communication functionality; teens rarely
use extra features, especially if they are hidden.
--Devices should be easy to use, require little maintenance,
and be either inexpensive or attractive to parents.
--Teen technology usage differs for boys and girls, and it
changes with age. Systems should accommodate
differences or be designed with a demographic in mind.
--Usable contact management tools seem to be a real, if
under-appreciated, need.