Kids these days have an abundance of digital technology at their fingertips – and often they understand it a lot better than their parents! In May 2018, Kidspot surveyed New Zealand parents about how their children use the internet. With anonymous responses, we feel like we got the real answers – rather than that watered down version that we all lie about because we’re afraid that our kids are overdoing the screen time! The results from our survey show a widespread use of digital technology by kids of all ages.
What devices are kids using?
From the 447 responses, the most popular digital device used by kids was the iPad, with half of families surveyed giving kids access to the popular tablet. This was closely followed by laptops and Chromeboooks (43%), then Android tablets (34%), Android phones (32%), and desktop PCs at 23%. Families often had multiple digital devices available for use. Less than 5% of responders had no digital device use by children.
Only around 1 in 5 families surveyed said their kids had access to an iPhone. So next time your kid demands that they just have to have the latest model because EVERYONE else has one, talk them down them with the facts!
How frequently are kids using digital technology?
We asked parents how frequently their children used digital technology (choosing the most frequent usage if more than one child). Kids from almost three quarters of the families in our survey were using technology each and every day, and in a quarter of cases, multiple times each day. For school aged kids (4 and over), daily or multiple daily use increased to 80% and in the under 4s, the rate was 49%.
Graph: How frequently does your child use digital technology?
What type of content are kids accessing?
Over all responders, YouTube, Games and TV shows or movies, were the most popular type of content, in that order. For preschoolers, educational sites were also popular though YouTube and TV shows or movies were still topping the list. For school age kids, games were the number one drawcard.
Just give me a minute …
We also asked parents if they used digital devices to keep kids occupied when they were busy. In the under 4s, 15% of parents never used digital distractions.
Graph: Do you use digital devices to keep your child/ren occupied when you are busy?
Are parents concerned about inappropriate material on the net?
In response to our question, “Do you get concerned that your child may access inappropriate material via the internet?”, two-thirds of families said that they had concerns. Encouragingly, 29% of families had taken steps to stop their child viewing inappropriate material.
What kind of content does your child use digital devices for? Are you happy with the frequency of use?
Read more on Kidspot:
- The pitfalls of the internet
- Internet safety for kids
- Teens and mobile phones
- What do you want your children to learn?
That is interesting, I’d like to know how much time is being spent at each session. My kids are probably on technology a lot but only a little at a time ie once they are ready for school they can play. After school if there is no sports they are allowed time after homework is done. Which to be honest isn’t very often.
Do you think there is a different between amount spent on technology verses how many times they get to go on it?
Wow 49% daily?? Gee – we let our 5 year old use the Android tablet but not that often, lucky if she gets to use it once a day. If she’s got enough time to be wasting on that then she’s got enough time to go out for a walk or to the Art Gallery or somewhere else 🙂
Wowee this is quite sad really very interesting to see the statistics in the pie charts though eh. It’s sad that kids turn to technology rather than playing outside these days.
My son needs an iPad for school so we bought him a newer one and I find I’m constantly telling him he is using it way too much and have to hide it. Games these days on iPads are very addictive for children. My daughter doesn’t use hers as much as she loves the outdoors and being active and the youngest has his moments with using it too much.