Teens and Tech: CompTIA Report Explores Views on Their Use of Technology, Career Options and the Future of Work

Staff Report

Wednesday, August 10th, 2022

Teenagers, many high-volume users of technology, expect their tech usage to increase over the next two years, according to a report CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the information technology (IT) industry and workforce.

CompTIA's "Student Perspectives of Technology and Careers" finds that more than two-thirds of teenagers have some idea of the career path they would like to pursue. Half that group indicates some interest in working in technology, with boys (55%) more than girls (47%) considering a career in tech.

Just over half of teens (53%) expect to increase their connections to tech. Nine out of 10 connect to the Internet on their mobile phones, confirmation of their need to constantly connect to technology.

"Young people clearly have great interest and high comfort levels in their interactions with technology," said Colleen Crino, chief development officer for Creating IT Futures. "Developing these traits will help them as they progress from students to digital knowledge workers and technology professionals."

Misperceptions about working in tech persist among teens. This includes the feeling that a tech job requires good math and science skills; that the work is complicated and difficult; that you work alone on a computer; the work is boring; or is just for tech geeks.