PC is passé.

At least according to tweens.

A recent study by Nielsen Co.'s Nielsen Mobile unit shows that tweens -- kids ages 8-12 -- are using mobile phones to access the Internet and games more than their home computers.

Nielsen Mobile said that marketers and media executives need to understand the unique ways that tweens, or so-called "digital natives," are challenging the traditional two-screen paradigm by elevating handset usage above all other devices.

Nielsen reports that tweens spend less time surfing the Internet than their teen counterparts.

In this report, 48 percent claimed they spend less than one hour per day online. When they are online, 70 percent of tweens use the Internet for gaming.

Comparatively, 81 percent of teens say they spend one hour or more per day online, with email being the most pervasive online activity for this age group.

According to Nielsen, 5 percent of tweens access the Internet over their phone each month. Of that percentage, 41 percent of tween mobile Internet users do so while commuting or traveling.

But it's not just about mobility.

Young mobile users are also turning to their phones for in-home entertainment. Fifty-eight percent of tweens who download or watch television on their phone do so while at home.

In addition, 64 percent of tweens who download or play music on their phone do it at home. Also, 56 percent of tweens who access the Internet on their phone conduct that activity from home.

While text messaging and ringtones remain the most pervasive non-voice functions for tween mobile phone users, other content such as downloaded wallpapers, music, games and Internet access also rank highly among tweens, 35 percent of whom own a mobile phone.

Nielsen's research combines survey responses from more than 5,500 teens and tweens. Additional data was supplied from Nielsen Mobile's "Bill Panel" of more than 40,000 wireless lines, as well as the third- quarter results from Nielsen Mobile's 75,000-person Audience and Behavior panel.