by Margaret Ross

If you’re trying to reach the average 18 to 34 year old, we suggest checking online.

The three unique internet trends we find in the shoes of the 18 to 34 year old group are: (1) the need to stay connected, (2) extending the internet with personal tech gadgets, and (3) internet as an entertainment source and an entertainment resource.

More Places. A record 72% of all 18 to 34 year olds are online. This is the highest percentage of any age group. Like most internet users, this age group is most likely to go online from home. But unlike other age groups, they choose more mediums more often. In the 30-day period prior to the Online Publisher’s Association (OPA) survey, in addition to home, they had accessed the web from friends and relative’s homes, 16% accessed the internet via telephone, and 8% accessed the Web from the library.

More Often. A subset of the 18 to 34 year olds, ages 18-24, report that they are increasing the amount of time they spend online. Over half of this group say they are spending more time online then they did one year ago.

Extending the Internet with High Tech Gadgets. Not only is this subset group comfortable with technology, nearly one third say they are among the first in their peer group to have the newest high tech gadgets. Forty-eight percent own a video game console (compared to 32% in larger populations) and 17% own an MP3 player. The Internet experience is extended into everyday life when they download music or games to these gadgets.

Internet as News Source, Entertainment Source, and Resource. Over half would choose Internet over TV as their first resource for news and entertainment.Unlike other groups, the subset group of 18 to 24 year olds turn to the Internet as an entertainment destination instead of a place to find entertainment information. A record number, 30%, report visiting entertainment and music sites every day.

And what activities are they most likely to do there? You guessed it. They extend their internet experience by downloading, sharing, and burning music and videos.

 

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