San Francisco - Some 35% of U.S. "tweens," defined as kids aged 8-12, own a mobile phone, and 5% access the Internet over their phones each month, according to a new study from The Nielsen Company.

The study also found that 20% of tweens have used text messaging, while 21% have used ringtones or ringback tones.

Of the 5% of tweens who use their phones to access the Internet, 41% said they did so while commuting or traveling, while 56% did so at home.

At home was also where the majority of tweens said they downloaded or watched TV on their phones (58%) or downloaded or played music on their phones (64%).

"Tweens use their mobile phones, and media in general, in very unique and important ways," said Jeff Herrmann, VP of mobile media for Nielsen Mobile.

"Marketers and media executives need to understand these 'digital natives' as they mature and reshape the way we all think about new and traditional media."

Overall, tweens spent much less time than their teenaged counterparts surfing the Internet, as 48% of tweens said they spend less than an hour per day online, compared to 81% of teens, who say they spend an hour or more per day online.

When they do go online, 70% of tweens said it was for gaming.

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http://www.nielsenmobile.com