Study: Cell Phones The New Media Tool Of Choice

According to a new study by the Pew Research Center of 2,259 cell users, 26% of Americans get their news on their cell phones, the Associated Press reports. Pew doesn’t have comparable data for say, two or three years ago but evidence of the shift in habits can be seen in their finding. Younger cell phone owners are more likely to look for news on their phones. About 43% of those under 50 said they are mobile news consumers, compared with 15% of older respondents.

The top concern that cell phone users look for on their phone is the weather. Of the 37% of cell phone owners who said they use the internet on their phone, 72% said they check weather reports. Current events came in second with 68%.

The study also showed people are not relying on one medium. Sixty percent of respondents get news from both online and offline sources. And 46% said they use four to six different types of media on a typical day. More than 80% of respondents get or receive news via emailed links.