No hang ups over mobile phones

India Belz, age 14 of Rockhampton. The teenager uses her phone every day to text friends and family.

Sharyn O'Neill

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INDIA Belz and her friends are going against the mobile phone trends.

A recent survey of Generation Ys, who are generally people who are always plugged in when it comes to technology, found most see their mobile phones as a "must have'' accessory.

However, the younger generation, Generation Z, who have been touted to be even worse, seem to going against the grain in Rockhampton.

India, who is Generation Z, says her mobile phone was a communication device, with the main purpose being to be able to contact her parents if she comes across trouble as she walks home from school.

The 14-year-old said she only has a prepaid phone that is similar to a Blackberry, that she uses to text or to call friends and family.

"A couple of my friends have the Smart phones and the others have the regular mobile phones," she said.

However, India said older students have the Smart phones and constantly send messages through Facebook.

New research reveals that almost one in two Gen Ys in Queensland view their phone as a status symbol, with a further 61% considering mobile handsets to be a fashion accessory.

The results form part of an Optus report commissioned in the lead up to the Saturday Sim Swap event taking place this weekend where non-Optus prepaid users can swap and get extra bonuses.

The first 80 Rockhampton customers who buy an Optus Prepaid mobile $30 recharge tomorrow will get a bonus $30 recharge.

New report reveals:

• Almost one in two Gen Y's view their phone as a status symbol
• 61 per cent consider mobile handsets to be a fashion accessory
• 43 per cent of Gen Ys believe people are judged by their mobile phone
• 16 per cent believe their friends would exclude them if they didn't have a mobile phone
• 55 per cent of Gen Ys communicate with friends via social networking sites on their mobile