Half of 16-to-24-year olds favour using internet mobile services

The survey, which sampled nearly 3,000 UK consumers, also returned a similar result for the 25-34 age bracket, with 53% preferring to access mobile internet content through their network provider.

However, 76% of over 55s favoured accessing only what their mobile company made available, indicating that older generations are "more inclined to stick with traditional media that they know and trust", according to Harris Interactive.

Chris Astle, managing director of  M-send, the wireless provider, said: "The results of this survey shows that, at the moment, the vote is split, but we firmly believe that as consumers become more aware of how easy it is to use the mobile internet, they will be demanding access beyond what is offered by their network operator."

A further study released this week by text messaging service Hotxt, into youth texting habits, found that finishing a relationship by text -- the preferred method of Britney Spears and Kate Moss -- was acceptable to 22.8% of the 1,238 16-to-24-year olds polled.

The survey also found Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan to be the most popular female celebrity within teen peer groups, with 28.8% of the vote. In second place was singer Lily Allen on 20%; internet sensation Paris Hilton with 13.1%; Victoria Beckham on 13% and Peaches Geldof on 11.9%.

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