[thstone]

As parent of two teenagers (both of whom got their drivers licenses at 16), this has nothing to do with driving or parents - its all about prestige. Thus, kids will take an iPhone over a car primarily becuase the iPhone will give them the most prestige with their friends and peers. The iPhone is the top of the line, the equivalent of a Porsche in the phone world and most kids know that the car they are likely to get is no where near as prestigious. Thus, the majority of teens will take an iPhone over their parents crappy 1996 Civic or Camry every time.

For us older folks, having a car, any car, was the most prestigous thing we could own. And it meant freedom from mom and dad. Kids today don't share that yearning for freedom that a car brings because they get chauffered everywhere at anytime by doting parents and now you have to have the "right" car or its just not worth it. iPhone beats Camry everytime.