There are some similarities and differences between the different age groups. We’re gonna know how teenagers use technology and compared those behaviors against those of children and adults.
Let’s start off with trust and determining the credibility of the information.
For children, this isn’t much of an issue since they mainly use the web for entertainment purposes. And when they’re searching for information for schoolwork, teachers usually provide links.
Teenagers who receive more assignments requiring research have difficulty judging the credibility of websites. They often look at the website’s aesthetic and how easy it is to skim and find the content they need. Adults are quick to judge websites, though they tend to be less critical of websites than young adults.
And about search and information finding, teenagers relied on search engines and site searches. But they often experience some trouble when it came to formulating a search query. This behavior aligns closely with adult users.
In contrast, children have a bigger reliance on bookmarks than search engines. Though you do see some older children around ages 9 to 12 age using search.
When children and teens are asked to disclose personal information like their full name or a phone number, they’re pretty hesitant.
In contrast, young adults tend to be more willing to provide a personal email or a phone number for say a rewards program. Whereas adults are often very willing to create accounts on sites they trust.
In the research with teenagers, the most usable websites and apps were those designs that were targeted specifically for teens’ needs and behaviors. Even if teens aren’t the largest age group in your target audience, it’s important to acknowledge these differences and determine how your design can support those behaviors.
Reference: https://www.nngroup.com/videos/teen-users-vs-other-age-groups/
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