THE writing is on the wall for pens and paper with more and more young people relying on hi-tech communications instead of more traditional methods, a survey revealed today.

Just 5% of people aged 15 to 24 communicate by paper, preferring to send emails, mobile phone texts or internet SMS messages.

The survey suggests that half of written communication is by email, 29% by text message and just 13% by pen and paper.

Among the over-65s, pen and paper remained popular at 39%.

It also found that 29% of young people sent in excess of 10 text messages a day, while 7% sent more than 20.

Around 70% of young people said they "could not live" without a mobile phone.

TV and radio

Despite the growing use of the internet and other new media, most people still spend more time watching television and listening to the radio.

The IPA TouchPoints survey was based on 5,000 people who updated an electronic diary every half-hour for a week.

The research cost é1 million and is backed by the BBC, ITV and national newspaper groups.

IPA research director Lynne Robinson said: "The survey gives us a unique view of how media impacts our lives, how we spend our work and leisure time and what our prevailing attitudes are.

"The findings confirm some things we already suspected: that families still like to spend time relaxing together in front of the television.

"But it's also given us some new thoughts that although all age groups are embracing technology, it's the young who are absolutely wedded to it."

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