The research carried out for social media network site Bebo reveals the latest generation’s thoughts and feelings on texting, blogging, socialising online and photography. The results from the extensive online poll provide a fascinating insight into the technological habits of today’s teenagers.

As more teenagers use social networking as a way to staying in touch, they readily admit that popularity is judged by the number of online friends you have. Popularity starts in the hundreds with today’s generation, as 50% say they have up to 250 friends who they message on a regular basis.

Celebrity culture continues to play an important role in their lives. When it comes to choosing which A-lister they’d most like to be online friends with, the majority (31%) opted for Hancock and I Am Legend star Will Smith. High School Musical and its leading lady Vanessa Hudgens finished a very close second in the poll with 30% of votes. But it’s bad news for Brad Pitt who could only muster 5% of the votes to see him finishing last on the list. To add insult to injury, even his ex Jennifer Aniston polled more than double that with 11% of young people saying they'd like to be friends with her.

There’s a fine line though between the celebrities teenagers want to hear from and those whose claim to fame is through their social status or family connection. A unanimous 52% say socialites such as Paris Hilton should be banned from blogging, whilst D-listers such as little known soap stars are also frowned upon by 16% of those polled.

Advances in mobile phone technology and digital cameras have also encouraged a new generation of keen photographers. Whether it's to capture a special occasion or a night out with friends, an impressive 68% say they love taking pictures whenever they get the chance. When it comes to looking at their friends photos 74% say they use online social networking sites such as Bebo to keep up to date with the latest 'must see' images.

Bebo’s online poll also reveals how young people spend the remainder of their spare time when not communicating with their friends. 30% say they like to use their computers to watch online videos and tend to see more than 50 a week. When it comes to watching TV, it's a close run thing between the teenagers who see themselves as telly-addicts and those who don't. 31% admit to watching more than five hours of programming a day, whilst 32% say they're not addicts but still manage to see between three and five hours a day.

Sarah Gavin, Global Director of Communications at Bebo, says: “These findings back up what our 40 million-strong community already knows that communicating with one another is one of the most popular hobbies among teenagers today. If technology enables them to do this more easily then it makes the experience all the more appealing to them”.