A lot of things comes with being a product of the 21st century, and that means the evolution of having physical items replaced with technology products like the iPad or Kindle Fire. In this case, 71 percent of students want the ability to use their textbooks on their tablets, according to a new report from Nielsen.

Google is one of the companies stepping up to the plate in trying to serve this growing need, as it offers the option for students to rent or buy digital textbooks through Google Play.

These are how the numbers shake out. 51 percent of school kids who are over the age of 13 use the internet, while 42 percent read books. In addition to those stats 46 percent use email, 40 percent take notes, and 30 percent complete homework/school assignments as shown in the chart below.

An interesting fact to know would be how much of the 51 percent internet usage has to do with kids researching for homework or assignments. In the age of social media and web search, kids can find almost anything they need by just “Googling-it.” This Nielsen report also revealed that parents no matter the age want more educational content on these tablet devices. In time this will be a point of emphasis that companies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, etc., will begin to nail down.

Of course the transition of textbooks moving to tablets can’t happen, unless all the publishers who make them get on board. As we’ve seen through all these litigation proceedings with Apple and Amazon, it can be a tricky proposition.

[via Nielsen]