Most teens prefer to text friends or chat online

It’s no secret that teenagers today are glued to their devices. But according to a new study, most now even say they'd rather talk to their friends online than see them in person.

The new study from Common Sense Media is a follow- up to the group's previous research in 2012, the Daily Mail reports.

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the two studies show just how much things have changed in the ways teens approach their friendships and online interactions.

According to the study, 35 percent of teenagers consider texting their top choice for communicating with their friends.

This is followed by inperson communication, with 32 percent favouring it.

Back in 2012, however, face- to- face conversations were the favorite by far, with 49 percent of responders choosing it as their top method, compared to just 33 percent who chose texting.

The survey also found that a staggering 70 percent of teens say they're on social media multiple times a day, with 16 percent admitting they're on ' almost constantly.'

While it might seem alarming, the researchers say the findings are complex, and don't all point to negative habits.

Most teens ( 57 percent) admitted social media distracts them from important things, such as homework, and even said ( 72 percent) that they thing tech companies manipulate them to spend more time on devices.

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the two studies show just how much things have changed in the ways teens approach their friendships and online interactions.

But, many teens also said social media made them feel less lonely ( 25 percent).

“Like teenagers themselves, this research presents a complex picture that defies simplistic judgments,” said James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense.

With the average age for a child to get their first phone now just 10, young people are becoming more and more reliant on their smartphones.

Worrying research from Korea University suggests that this dependence on the technology could even be affecting some teens' brains.

The findings reveals that teenagers who are addicted to their smartphones are more likely to suffer from mental disorders.