(CNN) -- Younger Americans are hitting the brakes on car shopping these days.
In the last five years new car purchases by 18-to-34 year olds dropped 30%.
That's according to car shopping web site Edmunds.com.
It may be a reflection of the economy, but some say there are other societal shifts involved.
Like more people moving from the suburbs to urban areas where you don't need a car.
And then there are those blaming social media.
A study by consulting firm Deloitte found that 46% of 18-to-24 year olds would choose Internet access over owning a car.
That's right. The freedom you used to get from your car, they say you now can find interacting online.
Even car makers are taking note.
A spokeswoman for General Motors said for young people, the first car is no longer a rite of passage... it's the first cell phone.
CNN