It is difficult to exist in today's society without being affected by the dramatic increase in the use of technology and especially the use of cell phones. The mobile market is becoming increasingly saturated and competitive. Therefore, marketers tend to look for new segment groups, study them and ultimately influence their decisions. Due to the increasing dependence on technology, much of the communication between teenagers occurs through digital use, particularly through their mobile phones. Over 65% of American preteens own a cell phone. (Solomon 2011) As a result, marketers believe that children are the new target customer that will create future market growth in the smartphone industry. Family Life Cycle Marketers study the family life cycle to better predict current and future consumer demand. Learning the changes in family preferences and needs that occur due to current trends helps marketers make more accurate assumptions about future smartphone market demand. For example, for smartphone marketing to influence young customers and engage with their lifestyle, marketers need to understand the family life cycle and the changes the family unit goes through in terms of income, number of children, age of children, lifestyle changes such as how they communicate, and other changes and trends, and make more accurate assumptions about changes in needs and expenses. Children go through five stages of consumer development. Consumer development is the process by which young people learn the attitudes and behavior patterns appropriate to their social roles. (Foxell 2008). During the first stage, the child is an observer of his parents' actions....... middle of paper... children act older and grow faster than previous generations. (Michman 2003) Preadolescents want to feel independent and similar to adults. As a result, they prefer real products that make them look older. Furthermore, due to the developed cognitive awareness and the social sensitivity that follows awareness, children normally by age 8 begin to feel the need to feel accepted and approved by their peers. When choosing products, they focus on "what's beautiful" and "what's inside". They are group oriented, so they look at their surroundings to understand what to believe and how to behave. Preteens are attracted to personalized products that reinforce their importance and self-esteem. (Acuff 1997) Teenagers prefer the cool looking cell phone to the cute one as a child because a cell phone for a tween is not just a communication device, it is a symbol of coolness and status