So what is life like for those who have just entered, or are on the cusp of their teenage years? Fairfax Media spoke with 13 young people from different schools, backgrounds and geographic areas. While it's hard to generalise about their lives, they all have one thing in common: technology. They have been using computers since they were toddlers. Many got their first mobile phone in primary school and most own an iPad or laptop.

Lily Rushton, 14, of Zetland, has owned an iPhone for two years. The Randwick Girls High student also has an iPod, laptop and a digital camera. ''To be able to access the technology now is pretty amazing,'' she says. ''When I was born, you wouldn't have been able to imagine doing what we can do now. I'm really grateful for that.''

But not all technology is created equal, with young people agreeing that newer is better. Seamus Keating, 12, of Surry Hills recently got his first mobile phone but is unimpressed: ''My phone is really old. I see other kids at school with iPhone 5s and I'm like, 'Aarrrghh.' ''

Thomas Lawes, 12, of Stanmore is similarly underwhelmed with his ageing Nokia: ''It doesn't do very much.''

Most of the young people who spoke to Fairfax Media use their phones for text messaging, playing games, watching YouTube and using social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook.

Not all had Facebook accounts and many of those who did were not posting constant status updates or checking every five minutes.

Daniel Martin, 13, of Beacon Hill said: ''I only look at Facebook once a day. I know people who check it heaps but I don't - it's a bit of a waste of time.''

At the other extreme is Ziggy Kowalski, 13, of Wentworthville, who said: ''Facebook is open on my phone 24/7 and I receive notifications from Facebook whenever someone sends me an instant message or notification.''

While their phones offer them the freedom to keep in touch with their peers at any time of the day or night, they also act as a digital leash when it comes to their parents. All the young people Fairfax Media spoke to were allowed to socialise with friends and travel on their own on public transport within certain areas - provided their parents knew where they were and they had their phones on them.

''I have freedom to go out with friends and parties as long as my parents know what time I will be back and I have my phone for contact,'' Ziggy said.

Kurt Smith, 13, of Willoughby, can also travel independently provided he has his phone and his parents know where he is going. ''I am allowed to go into the city by myself on public transport,'' he said.

Scarlett Kidman, 14, of Ryde has a lot of freedom but within firm boundaries.

''I am allowed to go out with my friends to the movies, the shops, get-togethers, sometimes the city under certain conditions, and I'm also allowed to catch public transport to certain places by myself,'' she said.

While they may be on the verge of adulthood themselves, parents are still well and truly involved and in charge.

''A lot of adults seem to think that teenagers just want to be left alone or they just want to spend time with other teenagers,'' said Lily Rushton. ''But I don't feel like that. I still like to go to my parents for advice.''

But some young people understandably felt frustrated by ''bossy'' grown ups. ''They always tell you they're in charge,'' Kurt Smith said. ''They tell you that you can't do something but then they're allowed to do it because they are older than you and they make the rules.''

It was a sentiment echoed by many. ''I don't like it when adults don't let you do things you want to, like when when you want to buy something and they won't let you,'' said Finn Burton, 12, of Cammeray.

Hannah Hill-Wade, 13, of Petersham, agreed: ''Adults can tell you what to do and what you can't do, what you can have and what you can't have. They make all the rules and you have to do what they say.''

Kurt Kowalski, 12, of Wentworthville agreed: ''They think that they are better than us but they are just like bigger versions of teenagers.''

They might not like having to live by the rules all the time, but young people do appreciate the extra responsibilities they have as they enter adulthood.

''Now that I am in high school I feel as if adults put more trust in me,'' said Lillie Greiner, 12, of Mosman. ''I like having greater responsibility and more freedom.''

For many, responsibility means accountability for both school work and domestic chores. All the young people interviewed did work around the house, including unstacking dishwashers, feeding pets, taking the garbage out, hanging out washing, vacuuming, gardening and cleaning the bathroom.

''I don't mind doing chores around the house - you can't expect your mum and dad to do everything for you at this age,'' Hannah Hill-Wade said. ''I clean my room, hang out the washing. I'm the only one who's good at it. My brother just chucks it on the line.''

Many young people received a regular allowance, varying from $5 to $10 a week, in return for their efforts, while some were just given money on an as-needs basis.

Unlike their free-spending predecessors, many of the millennials we spoke to were keen savers.

Bella Huggins, 12, of Dee Why, likes to put money towards a particular goal.

''I like to save up for things that I have really wanted to get,'' she said. ''I wanted a skateboard, which was $120, so I did lots of chores to save up.''

Thomas Lawes amassed $165 from doing his piano practice every day. ''I spent it on a Hornby electric train set. It's not that big but I hope I get some more tracks for Christmas.''

Seamus Keating was happy to spend his money on smaller items: ''I like to buy lollies and Slurpees.''

Not surprisingly, the majority of young people get information about the wider world from online sources, although a handful read newspapers and watched the news on television if they happened to be at home at the time. Many were strongly engaged with public issues.

When asked what they would talk about to Prime Minister Julia Gillard if they had an opportunity, answers included animal welfare, education and public transport.

''My friends and I all think that Australia should care about the welfare of animals and the way they are treated - especially factory farms,'' said Brielle Rose, 12, from the NSW central coast.

Daniel Martin, who travels by bus from his home in Beacon Hill to school in Manly each weekday, said: ''I would like to tell her to improve public transport between my house and school. It's not very good.''

Scarlett Kidman would remind the Prime Minister that today's young people are tomorrow's voters.

''Most of us can't vote yet but we'll be able to soon, so please make sure the new broadband internet system doesn't turn out to be dodgy and that our carbon tax helps to stop the pollution of our environment.''

Seamus Keating wants her to improve the health of young people: ''I'd like her to do something about kids smoking. Lots of Year 10s seem to smoke at my school and they are so stupid.''

Many had more prosaic messages for the Prime Minister.

''I would tell her that not all teenagers are really badly behaved,'' Lillie Greiner said. ''There are more teenagers that behave well and want to help society than ones who behave badly.''

''I would tell her we're not all idiots,'' Thomas Lawes said. ''We do have some smart teenagers out there.''