According to the BBC, 80% of young people (in England, presumably) have mobile phones:

...78% of 11 to 17-year-olds believe having a mobile has given them a better social life as it meant it was easier to keep in touch with their friends.

By contrast, many young people - especially teenage girls - admit they would feel unwanted if the day passed without their mobile ringing.

Among those quizzed 26% said they would feel left out, compared with just 11% of parents.

Three-quarters of youngsters have had their phone bought for them by their parents, while half have their calls paid for by their parents.

The survey found that most parents (71%) believed mobiles were a useful way to keep track of their offspring.

However, only a third of 13 to 16-year-olds thought it was reasonable for parents to use mobiles for this reason.

One in three youngsters added that they use phones to keep in touch with people their parents did not want them to contact.

...via Smart Mobs