Teens are online, on Facebook, and willing to shop – especially teen girls. 96% of American teens (ages 12-17) will use the internet at least once a month by the end of this year, compared to only 74% of the total U.S. population. 80% of U.S. teens will use social networks in 2011, compared to only 64% of all internet users in the U.S., according to eMarketer. Of the 19.4 million US teens using social networks in 2011, more than half are female.
As of June 2010, 69% of teens ages 13-17 had a Facebook profile. MediaPost reports that almost three-quarters of teens will use Facebook at least once a month in 2011, and according to a survey from Ipsos Public Affairs, 70% use Facebook weekly.
A recent eMarketer report reveals the huge online market potential of female teens in particular: 4.2 million teen girls purchased items online in 2010, up from 3.4 million in 2009. The majority – 52.6% – of teen online buyers are female. Of the 12.4 million US teen girls, 96% are already using the internet, leaving plenty of room for this market to grow.
According to eMarketer, teen girls “have integrated Facebook, texting and taking photos via mobile camera phone into their shopping routine to solicit immediate feedback from friends and family.” They solicit advice on social networks and are strongly influenced by their peers, and are “highly engaged” shoppers.
