| Mobile Phones are latest craze for 15s and under |
| Tuesday, 04 November 2008 | |
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Within Granada province over the last four years, there has been a 50% increase in the number of children and adolescents who have their own mobile phone, now considered an essential, rather than a luxury. Not so long ago, the favourite gift in Spain for those celebrating their communion was a wrist watch. Parents duly reminded their children to take care of their precious present, so that it would last until they could really use and appreciate the watch, as adults. Now, it seems a waste of time and money to consider traditional gifts for the star of the show. What these youths (and we’re talking 8, 9 and 10 year olds) in Granada Province are looking for increasingly, is their very own mobile phone. According to the last study conducted by the INE (the Spanish National Institute of Statistics), a whopping two thirds of 10 – 15 year olds in Granada have their very own mobile phone. It seems that technology has gone mad and what was once a useful adult means of communication, has become a real necessity for this age group. You just need to grab the nearest 10 year old and quiz him/her to prove just how obsessed they have become with this prize item, claiming that anyone who does not possess such a treasure is classed as iinferior and lacking, locally known as a “pringao” (a bit of a loser). The INE has also discovered that the usage of mobile phones has skyrocketed throughout Spain and more specifically the Costa Tropical over the past four years. Back in 2004 ‘only’ 41% of 15 year olds and under in Granada province had their own mobile phone. By 2008, this figure has risen to 64%. Frighteningly, it has also been reported that some 7% of these youngsters spend over 40 Euros per month on their mobile bill and amazingly, this bill is not due to conversations with other parties, but mostly the result of sms messages frantically dispached between the Andalusian adolescents. |
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