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.