Why Teens May Be The Best Target Market For Your App

The sophistication of smartphones and the technology they run on is slowly eclipsing laptop and desktop computers as a method of connecting to the Internet. Add the new tablet sensations to the mix and traditional computers are practically a thing of the past. This trend is happening to such a point that the teen demographic, more than any other, seems to use smartphones as a means of predominantly connecting to the Internet. For private enterprise, this means teens are more likely to come across your mobile app than any other demographic, creating an attractive target market that may have otherwise been neglected.

Target Marketing Teens

Based on a study done by the American Life Project, teens represent the demographic with the most reliance on smartphones as a primarily source of Internet connection. While this may mean teens are more likely to come across your app than any other demographic, it doesn’t guarantee they will be interested. For such reason, you may wish to consider gearing future apps toward teens. For instance, if you currently offer a banking app targeting adult demographics, due to the online presence of teens, you may consider meeting with a qualified technology consultant and app developer to redesign and target your app.

The study conducted by phone on 802 American teens, shows there is true potential in the teen demographic as a target market. Furthermore, it was found that 95% of teens use the Internet, and more specifically, that one in four use a smartphone as their primary method of connecting to the Internet. Additionally, three quarters of teens (ages 12-17) have a cell phone, with nearly half totting smartphones. So there is definitely evidence suggesting that habitual mobile Internet activity is being dominated by the teen demographic. 

The Findings

The aforementioned study suggests that teens are primarily relying on smartphone usage as a means of connecting to the Internet. While the statistics are clear, the reason being is a little less obvious. One prevailing thought is that teens prefer using their smartphones for convenience purposes. In other words, teens with smartphones likely prefer to hop on the Internet through a device that fits in their pocket opposed to one that fits in their backpack. If they can access your mobile site or app in a few short seconds, they will, opposed to taking the time to get their laptop and connect to Wi-Fi. While this may only be one theory regarding teen smartphone usage, it is crucial for your business to keep in mind when designing and targeting a mobile app and website. 

Conclusion

With nearly all American teens using the Internet, this accounts for a very significant amount of smartphone users. Such findings offer an intriguing window into one of the mobile market’s most important demographics from an app usage standpoint. Undoubtedly, the teen demographic has the potential to excel your company’s mobile app and/or website to the next level. Whether you have previously considered teens as a potential target market or not, based on the previously mentioned American Life Project study, you may want to give it some more consideration. If the teen demographic is a market you wish to target with your mobile offerings, meeting with a mobile app developer and marketing expert to assist in the process is the best place to start. From there you can work with them to design and target an app towards the teen demographic.