One of the data points that was shared in the Did you know 2.0 video, is that in 2007 (when the video was (published) the average 21 year old had sent approximately 250,000 emails or instant messages. When I was 21 years old, I had not even sent 1 and that was in 2001.   

http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/The+6C%27s+for+21st+Century+Competency

I found a post that discussed the "6C's for 21st Century Competency". Specifically, the post is in relation to education but I think that the 6C's listed actually are relevant to many aspects of life int eh 21st century at least so far. They are:

1. Connect
2. Create
3. Collaborate
4. Communicate
5. Compute
6. Think Critically

I feel that the popularity of email, text and other communication tools fulfills the Connect, Collaborate and Communicate aspects.