Young ring up huge mobile bills

In Australia, an alarming number of 18-to-24-year-olds are in debt due to high cell phone bills, according to TheAge, with teenagers as young as 16 reporting debt problems.

"The study, by University of Newcastle academics Margaret Griffiths and Bill Renwick, claiims more than half of the 18-to-24-year-olds interviewed had credit card or personal loan debts of more than $14,000, while a quarter had debts over $20,250.

The study found 34 per cent of young people also had telephone debts, 78 per cent of which were mobile phone-related. The typical telephone debt for a quarter of this age group was $5000.

Dr Griffiths said parents and schools also had a responsibility to teach responsible credit habits."

emily | 4:30 PM | SMS Studies & Research |
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