Pew study: Most teens own smartphones, go online every day, and use Facebook

Teens have rushed to embrace the mobile revolution, with 73 percent now owning a smartphone and 92 percent going online every day, according to a new study by the Pew Foundation.

In its latest report on teens and technology, Pew also notes that Facebook is still the number one social networking option among ages 13 to 17, followed by Instagram and Snapchat.

Overall, the report paints a picture of a generation that has enthusiastically embraced the communications revolution.

Because Pew changed its survey methodology this year, the numbers contained in the report can’t be compared to historic trends. Still, there were a number of significant findings.

Not only do 73 percent of teenagers have a phone, 88 percent have access to one they use on a regular basis.

And the numbers, and usage, are even higher among African-American teenagers, with 85 percent reporting they have access to a smartphone and 34 percent claiming they go online “almost constantly.”

That compares to 71 percent of white and Hispanic teens who say they have access to a smartphone. And while 32 percent of Hispanic teens say they go online “almost constantly,” only 19 percent of white teens say the same.

Despite the debate about whether Facebook is losing teens, the Pew study indicated that for now, the social networking still remains supreme:

• 71 percent of teens 13 to 17 use Facebook
• 52 percent of teens use Instagram
• 41 percent use Snapchat
• 33 percent use Twitter
• 33 percent use Google +
• 24 percent use Vine
• 14 percent use Tumblr