Using the theory of planned behavior to explain teenagers' adoption of text messaging services

Text messaging in the form of SMS has become one of the most successful mobile services in Europe, and the use of this service is now well integrated into the everyday life of young Europeans. To explain the widespread adoption of this service, findings from diffusion, uses and gratifications, information systems and domestication research are reviewed and integrated into a re-specified and extended model based upon the theory of planned behavior. The model is tested on a sample of young users of text messaging services. We conclude that the suggested respecifications and extensions are justified. The final model shows good fit and explains 74% of the variance in intention to use text messaging services. The results support including elements of enjoyment and expressiveness in models of text messaging adoption, show little support for including subjective norm, and indicate that users may perceive some form of deficient selfregulation in the use of these services. The results also show interesting differences between the adoption models of male and female users.