64 per cent of teenagers are playing mobile games

It's become a common theme at mobile games industry conferences to talk about the way only five per cent of mobile users download games, and to publicly worry about how to increase this proportion.

But hang on a mo. A new survey indicates that younger people are much, much keener on mobile gaming. It was conducted by virtual world Habbo Hotel (pictured), which surveyed an impressive 58,480 teenagers in 31 countries.

It found that 64 per cent of teenagers are now playing games on their phones – up from 51 per cent from in 2006. Admittedly this is playing, as opposed to purchasing (it includes the games preloaded on their handsets, and possibly some that have snuck on there illegally).

But still, 64 per cent is pretty impressive, especially if they all start buying games as they become adults and have more disposable income. Alternatively, it might suggest an opportunity for more ad-funded free games aimed at teenagers.

Other results from the survey include Nokia being the favoured handset for teenagers in half of the countries surveyed, but not the UK, where both Sony Ericsson and Samsung ranked higher this year, relegating Nokia to third place.

Also from the study comes the revelation that 78 per cent of UK teens are listening to music on their mobiles, while globally, 70 per cent are taking photos and videos, and 88 per cent are texting.