Ofcom – 60 per cent of British children use the net unsupervised
Research published this month by Ofcom reveals that 60 per cent of 12-15 year olds use the internet mostly unsupervised, as do 35 per cent of 8-11 year olds. The report also suggests that children are starting to use the internet at a younger age, with numbers of internet users in the 5-7 age group increasing.
Growing numbers of children have internet access in their own bedrooms. One-third of those between 12 and 15 years of age, one in six in the 8-11 age group and 3 per cent of 5-7 years olds have such access.
Many children play video games. Three quarters of 12-15 year olds have a games console in their rooms. When asked who they normally play with, one in seven 12-15 year olds reported that they play with people over the internet.
Such findings highlight the importance of educating our children about the dangers of internet use.
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