Increasing use of mobile devices among children under 10
20.12.2011
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A survey by mobile comparison site GoodMobilePhones.co.uk shows that almost three-quarters of Britons let their children use their mobile devices.
by Rune H. Rasmussen
Recently, GoodMobilePhones.co.uk conducted a survey in order to discover how much interaction children younger than the age of ten have with smartphones and tablet computers.
The results confirm the trend during recent years, where we have seen that the intuitive interface of smartphones and tablet computers have become increasingly popular among young children. The survey also suggests that children increasingly move away from traditional handheld games consoles, in favour of the mobile sector.
“To keep children entertained”
The survey showed that 64 per cent of Britons allow their children to use their mobile devices, out of which 82 per cent said it was to keep their children entertained.
As for the amount of time children were allowed to use the devices each day, 68 per cent said 'up to an hour’, while 23 per cent said between 1-2 hours of daily use. Worryingly, the report highlights that nine per cent of parents said their young children use a mobile device for more than two hours per day.
The top five ways children are using the mobile devices:
- Watching TV/Films – 72 per cent
- Games – 65 per cent
- Educational Apps / eBooks – 23 per cent
- Music/Art/Creative apps – 16 per cent
- Social Media apps – 6 per cent
Mark Owen, owner of GoodMobilePhones.co.uk, said:
"When used correctly, smartphones and tablets can be great learning aids and there are hundreds of educational apps available to parents. There’s also the possibility for children to play games, or even watch the TV programmes and films that their parents have bought."
"Children are becoming more and more familiar with technology, and smartphones and tablets can certainly be a great way to keep them them entertained on a long car journey."
Source:
Mobile entertainment
64 per cent of Britons let their children use their mobile devices
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