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Ericsson ConsumerLab, a consumer research organization, has conducted a study revealing how teenagers prefer to communicate and socialize with each other.

The study consisted of almost 2,000 respondents and involved a representative sample of 20 million people between 13 and 17 years of age and was conducted during between June and November 2011. As per the report,  the common usage of texting and Facebook has changed the dynamics of teenage dating.
“Behaviors are dynamic, and shift as people enter different life stages. As they get older, teenagers start to use communication tools in the same way as adults. They will continue to use ‘their’ tools such as texting, Facebook and video chat, but at the same time, they understand the need to use voice and e-mail as they move into the next stage of their lives,” said Ann-Charlotte Kornblad, Senior advisor at Ericsson ConsumerLab.

The biggest changes can be seen in the courting process, where the goal is to ask the other person out on a date. However teenagers still meet potential romantic partners face-to-face. Another clear shift is the fact that changing your Facebook relationship status to “in a relationship” or “single” is now seen by friends as the official declaration.

The report also finds that the ownership level for smartphones and regular mobile phones are the same for 17-year-olds, but 13-year-olds are much more interested in getting a smartphone, if they don’t already have one.