Due to inflation, 32% of parents are considering purchasing used or refurbished technology for their children for the next school year.
SAN DIEGO , Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — New research from ecoATM Gazelle, a global leader in mobile device recommerce, reveals the barriers U.S. parents face when considering back-to-school technology purchases for their children.
The survey of 1,000 American adult parents with at least one child between the ages of 8 and 18 explored parents' experiences and attitudes toward purchasing new technology, such as tablets, phones or laptops, for their children for the upcoming school year. Key findings include:
Gazelle research shows that parents believe technology has the power to make a difference in students' academic outcomes, but often struggle with the cost and pace of replacement. ecoATM | Gazelle
Technology is expensive but necessary
Despite its high cost, technology is becoming an essential part of children's school and social lives.
55% of parents have taken out credit card debt, taken out installment payments or borrowed money from friends and family to buy new technology for their children's school. 56% of respondents said it is important for their children to be tech-savvy in the digital world. The majority of parents (67%) feel they need technology to access lessons and homework through online learning portals and to learn by accessing additional educational resources such as artificial intelligence (51%).
Despite the costs, parents frequently replace their children's technology
66% of parents consider purchasing new technology for their children at least once a year, and nearly half (49%) purchase replacement devices at least once a year. 77% of higher-income parents purchase technology at least once a year, compared to 57% of lower-income parents, highlighting financial barriers to accessing technology.
Rising prices force parents to buy alternatives
41% of respondents are interested in affordable brands and deals on tech devices due to inflation. 54% of parents say they need some financial help to buy tech devices for their children. Nearly half of respondents (49.4%) choose not to buy new tech devices because they are expensive. 41% of respondents are interested in affordable brands and deals on tech devices due to inflation.
“With technology being a necessity in today's learning environment, parents want to ensure their children have devices that will help them achieve their goals,” said Stan Pavlovsky, CEO of ecoATM Gazelle. “As a father, I share the same concerns and believe parents should have access to technology and shouldn't be forced to choose between buying a quality tablet or phone to help their child succeed in school or to pay for groceries. At ecoATM Gazelle, we are committed to providing children with certified pre-owned technology to help them succeed in today's digital world.”
Read more about the ecoATM Gazelle survey findings and back-to-school tech shopping tips here.
Methodology:
The data referenced in this report comes from a custom survey designed on behalf of ecoATM via the online survey platform Pollfish, conducted on July 31, 2024. In total, 1,000 American adult parents with school-age children ages 8-18 who reported purchasing new technology for their children were surveyed.
About ecoATM Gazelle
ecoATM Gazelle is the global leader in mobile device recommerce. ecoATM is rapidly expanding with over 6,000 trade-in kiosks across the U.S. to turn your used smart devices into instant cash. Gazelle is the leading online marketplace for buying and trading in refurbished devices, providing a simple and convenient way to purchase certified pre-owned devices. Find a kiosk near you and price your device at https://www.ecoatm.com/.
SOURCE EcoATM, LLC
