Teens and tech: Almost 90% own iPhones, most use Instagram and Spotify

[DragonSlayer101]

The big picture: Android may be the dominant mobile operating system worldwide but in the US, the iPhone reigns supreme with a nearly 60 percent market share across all age groups. A recent survey found that the numbers are even more skewed among teenagers, with nearly nine out of 10 teens owning an iPhone.

According to the latest survey by American investment bank Piper Sandler, 88 percent of US teens own an iPhone, and 25 percent plan to upgrade to the upcoming iPhone 17 before the end of the year.

The numbers suggest iPhone ownership among teenagers is nearing an all-time high, rising three percentage points since April 2024, when 85 percent of teens surveyed reported owning an iPhone. That figure is also significantly higher than a decade ago, when only 66 percent of teens used an iPhone.

While Apple clearly dominates the smartphone market, it's a different story in the world of VR headsets. About 31 percent of teens said they own a VR device, but the majority have a Meta/Oculus headset. Only one percent of respondents reported owning an Apple Vision Pro.

The survey also reveals that Instagram is the most popular social media app among teens, with 87 percent using the platform each month. TikTok comes in second with 79 percent, while Snapchat rounds out the top three at 72 percent. Teens also frequently use Uber (76 percent) for ride-hailing and DoorDash (73 percent) for food delivery.

As for streaming services, Netflix is the clear favorite, with 31 percent of teens reporting daily use. YouTube follows with 26 percent, while Hulu comes in third with seven percent. Only one percent of the teens surveyed said they watch shows on Apple TV+.

The survey also shows that Spotify is the most popular music streaming app among US teens, with 65 percent using the service. Of those, 45 percent have a paid subscription. In comparison, 30 percent of respondents reported having an Apple Music subscription.

The data is part of the latest Taking Stock With Teens survey, which highlights the spending habits of US teenagers. The report includes responses from 6,455 teens, with an average age of 16.2 years and a median household income of $65,995.

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Teens and tech: Almost 90% own iPhones, most use Instagram and Spotify

 

[NumberNine]

Business love teens when they're spending money but hate em when they ask why the oceans are boiling.

 

[opckieran]

This can only end well.

 

[RudyBob]

I'd say that's right and <10% use their heads, can write a sentence or read critically.

 

[Lew Zealand]

This is gonna be a good comments section. Summary:

 

[maxxcool7421]

*****s

 

[brucek]

90%?!? Based on having the right text message color? That is truly amazing. I'm impressed enough that Apple created that much demand, and even more so that all their parents - roughly 30% of whom use Android - were OK buying their teen iPhone instead.

 

[Lowhangingfruit]

73% percent use doordash!? Considering the upcharge, kids these days must have a lot more spending cash than I did as a teenager.

Even buying a slushie from 7/11 was a luxury.

I guess they don't need to save money for college.

 

[seeprime]

Wait until they leave Daddy's home and have to pay real bills and buy food. The numbers might change more than a tad

 

[Hexic]

Apple has done a fantastic job in their ecosystem - they really have mastered the "us vs. them" mentality.

Reality is of course, functionality surpasses all clean shiny UI elements, but teens don't care about that. They're too worried about green texts.

 

[dirtyferret]

 

[texasrattler]

73% percent use doordash!? Considering the upcharge, kids these days must have a lot more spending cash than I did as a teenager.

Even buying a slushie from 7/11 was a luxury.

I guess they don't need to save money for college.

Nope they just invent the next big thing or become a streamer/influencer.

Why save when they have mommy n daddy doing everything.

 

[texasrattler]

Wait until they leave Daddy's home and have to pay real bills and buy food. The numbers might change more than a tad

For some it never changes.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

90%?!? Based on having the right text message color? That is truly amazing. I'm impressed enough that Apple created that much demand, and even more so that all their parents - roughly 30% of whom use Android - were OK buying their teen iPhone instead.

When having a green bubble means you lose any shot at getting laid, yeah the color will determine what phone people get. Thankfully some are waking up to the stupidity.

73% percent use doordash!? Considering the upcharge, kids these days must have a lot more spending cash than I did as a teenager.

Even buying a slushie from 7/11 was a luxury.

I guess they don't need to save money for college.

I'm sure a survey of a couple thousand teens done by an investment bank is totally legit and representative of teens across the country and in no way trying to influence the stock price of a company they own a position in....

 

[AnilD]

At this point, iPhones are basically part of the teen starter pack: iPhone, TikTok, Spotify, and absolutely no idea what an Android widget is for.

 

[airbornex]

Spotify, Netflix, and Uber have better teen engagement than Apple’s own apps and services. So teens love Apple hardware but ghost everything else Apple tries to make them use.

 

[NotYourITguy]

73% percent use doordash!? Considering the upcharge, kids these days must have a lot more spending cash than I did as a teenager.

Even buying a slushie from 7/11 was a luxury.

I guess they don't need to save money for college.

They literally don't need to save money for college if they get their loans forgiven. The entire college financial aid process penalizes you if you do have savings. Just went through that with my first kid. It's really quite the racket.

 

[kiwigraeme]

Self reported survey, er Ok
Dr Pepper 10% of teens prefer drink - not sure can buy in NZ unless select place

ie USA based and I have my doubts to veracity

This is probably amongst a certain demographic - Not sure iPhones abound in some neighbourhoods

yeah I drive a F40 ferrari, have Patek Philippe watches for each day of the week - usual stuff

 

[p51d007]

Teens have "group think". Want to stay in the "in" crowd, so they buy what everyone else in their
circle buys.
You have an ANDROID PHONE? Yuck! You are out of our group!

 

[daffy duck]

Only because their parents are stupid enough to indulge them with stupidly expensive toys.

 

[Beerfloat]

It makes it easy for kids. Get iPhone - check. Job done. Now worry about all the other branded stuff they have to have for minimum keeping up with their peers.

 

[adamada72]

I guess @ 90% they don't need outside tech support?

 

[Axeia]

I guess Spotify is also the hip thing to have? Very odd that it is more popular to have it then Apple music. Not like at that age they have old playlists or something.
1% Apple TV, I guess they dont have time for long form entertainment. Too busy with TikTok

 

[Puiu]

This is what happens when money grows on trees and parents give their kids whatever they want.

 

[Liranan]

Business love teens when they're spending money but hate em when they ask why the oceans are boiling.

Proof that oceans are boiling, other than your beloved Mainstream Liars and our uber criminal Billy Boy, who got absolutely crushed on British TV for his endless lies.