Delhi kids top list of internet, cell users

NEW DELHI: A large section of the affluent Delhi children, who go to public schools, are net-savvy and tech-friendly and also have deep pockets because of generous parents, a survey has revealed. The city has the largest number of students accessing internet from schools 31%, the highest in the country. Ninety nine per cent of Delhi's children have access to mobile phones and 72% have digital cameras. And 28 per cent of Delhi students get over Rs 1,000 as pocket money.

These are the findings of a nationwide survey carried out by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) of nearly 14,000 high school children between the age of 12 and 18 in 12 cities across the country. The objective: To figure out just what's on the mind of the country's affluent youth in metros and mini-metros.

The target group was from socio-economic classification (SEC) A. The survey was carried out in Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Cochin, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai for 2008-09.

The survey found these kids to be netizens. They blog, catch the news online and make friends on social networking sites. In fact, an overwhelming 93% of them were aware of social networking.

Sixty seven per cent of Delhi's youth ranked a search engine as their number one source of information with TV and newspapers coming a distant second. Kolkata has the highest number of students (77%) accessing the internet for information. While 62% of the youths surveyed had PCs at home, 63% spent over an hour a day on the net. PC penetration at home was highest in Bangalore and Delhi. Chennai topped the metros in internet use from home while cybercafes seem to be the primary access points in smaller cities.

Blogging in the metros revolves largely around the students' lives. But when it comes to reading blogs, a majority of students in Mumbai and Ahmedabad prefer films and celebrities. But students in Delhi blog more from school and for study purposes.

As for education, a majority of the students would like to study abroad, more so in the mini metros than in the metros, with US being the No 1 option. There is a great deal of interest in destinations like Dubai and Singapore for studies as youngsters feel these countries have a good support system for students. Although mobile and nomadic when it comes to travel, a large number of students 49% nationally and 60% in the mini-metros would like to live and work in the country after their studies.

So just what is it that the youth is looking for in a career. Money? Not really. Travel and learning new skills are priorities that have overtaken salaries when it comes to zeroing in on a career of their choice. It comes as no surprise that engineering and IT rank highest in industry preference.