Computers Turn Summer Vacation 'Inside' Out, YouthBeat(R) Survey Shows

CHICAGO, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- For kids, summer vacation has traditionally meant outdoor sports, attending camp or family vacations. But today's youth are as likely to be found indoors this summer using their computers, new data from C&R Research's YouthBeat shows.

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Nearly 80 percent of kids plan to use a computer at the same pace or more than during the school year, reports the survey of 1,200-plus children between 6 and 17. Interestingly, 75 percent of the youngest segment, 6- to 8-year-olds, anticipate using computers more or the same than they do the rest of the year. YouthBeat quantitatively and qualitatively tracks the lives of kids, tweens, teens and their parents 12 months out of the year.

Tweens ages 12-14 years old are likely to be the most intense users of computers this summer (80 percent will use computers the same or more than during the school year). And more kids, tweens and teens with family incomes between $75,000 and $99,000 report that they will use their computers this summer (84 percent) than kids in other income brackets. African-American youth are likely to use a computer "more" this summer (52 percent) – significantly more than their Caucasian and Hispanic counterparts (40 percent and 42 percent respectively).

"This data illustrates not only how the experience of summer vacation has changed, but also how our notions about who is really using computers outside of school have shifted," noted Amy Henry, Vice President of Youth Insights at C&R.

Favorite summer activities for youth don't revolve around the computer at all. Hanging out with friends (38 percent) and traveling with family (37 percent) top their list. And not surprisingly, all age groups hope to avoid summer school, schoolwork and chores during this time of year.

Most teens don't rank "working" as a favorite summer activity, but finding a job is a high priority for all older teens despite dwindling opportunities. Fifty-six percent plan on working this summer, with most seeking jobs at retail stores or fast-food outlets. Regardless of what they prefer to do this summer, most kids, tweens and teens agree that there's nothing worse than boredom to give them the summertime blues.

Chicago-based C&R Research (www.crresearch.com) is one of the nation's largest, independent full-service research firms. Since 1959, it has provided custom-designed qualitative and quantitative research for a wide variety of business-to-business and business-to-consumer clients. YouthBeat® (www.youthbeat.com) is C&R Research's comprehensive study of kids, tweens, teens and their parents, offering an intimate look at youth culture today and tomorrow.

SOURCE C&R Research