Mobile phone use among Kenyan youth
Abstract
This study was conducted with the aim of finding out the uses of mobile phones among
urban rich and urban poor male and female youth in Kenya aged 18 to 35 years. A case
study of Dagoretti Constituency in Nairobi was used for purposes of achieving the
objectives of the study. This was an exploratory study seeking to show the differences
and/ or similarities in mobile phone use among the youth as well as the core determinants
in influencing ownership and subsequently, use of these technological devices among
youth. The objectives of this study was to determine the extent to which factors such as income,
age, educational level, sex and marital status influence adoption and use of mobile phones,
the role of the mobile phone service providers and pricing in influencing adoption and use
of the phones and find out if there is a knowledge gap among urban rich and urban poor
youth as well as among male and female youth. The study worked on the assumption that
education level, income, sex, age and marital status are core factors that influence adoption
and use of mobile phones among the target group. The role of pricing, choice and
preference of mobile phone service providers and make of phone have been mentioned
and their relevance to the research study given so as to help understand and appreciate
how the core factors determine adoption and use among urban rich and urban poor youth.
The core theory that was used to help bring the topic into focus was Uses and Gratification
theory which formed the backbone of the research.
Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
School of Journalism, University of Nairobi
Subject
Mobile telephonyYouth
Urban rich
Urban poor
Dagoretti constituency
Kenya
Pricing
Comparative study