Working in the “media” category, I wanted to do some research specifically to smaller children to see what they are up to. I was surprised to a small degree that children as young as two years of age are now downloading data, games, and music to a variety of electronic devices such as a phone, computer, or MP3. TWO YEARS OLD – Good grief, when I was two – well, we didn’t have the same technology as we do today but I’m sure I wouldn’t be downloading.
Today, statistics show us that as much as 15% of all children between the ages of two and five use a cell phone. Then, up to 62% of children between the ages of eleven and fourteen own their own cell phone! The bottom line is that as technology is becoming easier and easier, the number of young children downloading content is rising. Our children are not innocent little kids anymore but tech-savvy individuals.
Without doubt, media companies are gearing more things toward young children. In fact, kids have grown so accustomed to technology that for them to download is no big deal. You will even find young children showing the parents how to download – imagine that! The bottom line is that one of every ten children will have downloaded some type of content to an electronic device by the age of seven. Then, the number of kids having downloaded content by age ten goes up to 22% and by age fourteen, 50%.
Just about every home in America now has at least one computer. For homes that do not yet have this technology, computers are accessible at the local library or in school. Then, when you consider of homes with computers hooked up to the internet, the percentage of kids that log on and access various websites is a staggering 75%.
Although kids are becoming more interested in outdoor activities and sports, we still see the average child spending close to one hour a day playing some kind of game or listening to music while connected to the internet. While it is nice that we see reputable companies such as Fisher Price and Disney making suitable content for young children to download, it also means parents need to step up to make sure the amount of time is monitored and the content is appropriate.
The main problem is that some small children are being given access to the internet with little to no access. Obviously, this means they could easily download music or content not appropriate or even worse, become the target of a pedophile. Therefore, if you allow your young child to get online, please take the appropriate steps of security to know what your child is doing. I actually recommend you use special programs to maintain control so your child is not harmed.