Aussie children as young as four using smart phones: Study

While there’s no denying that children are growing up in a very different world to the one Baby Boomers did, alarming new research has revealed just how entrenched modern technology is in the lives of today’s kids. 

A survey released by comparison website Finder.com.au has found 17 per cent of Australian children aged 12 and under currently own a smartphone. This is the equivalent of 690,000 Australian children using mobile phones.

The survey of 2,005 parents found the main reasons they gave their children a phone at such a young age was because they had a spare device handy (20 per cent), needing to contact their child throughout the day (20 per cent) and for when they child is travelling to and from school by themselves (19 per cent).

It also found that 14 per cent of parents gave their children a phone because they kept asking for one or were using their own device, 10 per cent gave them a phone so they could play games, 7 per cent gave their children a phone because all their friends had one, while another 7 per cent provided their kid with a smartphone when they started high school.

The research also found the average age children receive their first smartphone is seven, but some children as young as four are using their own device. Parents who haven’t yet given their kids a device said 13 was the appropriate age. These parents said it was a lack of responsibility from their children and wanting to limit their screen time and protect them from online threats that caused them to delay giving their child a phone.

The latest research comes a week after the New South Wales state government announced that mobile phones would be banned from all public primary schools from next year. NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian said the phones were distracting and caused stress for young children.

The decision was made after an expert review revealed rising cases of online bullying, sharing of explicit images and distractions. High schools across the state will have the opportunity to opt-in to the ban or introduce stricter rules surrounding mobile phone use.

Finder Tech Expert Alex Kidman said parents felt conflicted about providing a mobile phone to their children.

“For parents, smartphones provide reassurance that they’ll be able to reach their child in the event of an emergency,” Kidman said in a statement. “However, the number of hours kids are spending on screens each day is increasing.”

It’s quite common these days for parents to provide their child with a mobile device to watch YouTube, play games or keep them calm when out and about. The problem is these devices are also being used at school and during class times. 

Kidman also explained that mobile phones are disruptive and parents need to be aware that the classroom is not the right place for a mobile device.

“Parents also need to promote a healthy balance between screen time and other activities such as homework or playing outdoors,” Kidman added.

The survey also follows research released last month as part of a Queensland Family and Child Commission study that found parents who spend significant amounts of time of their phones, computers or digital devices during family time could be impacting their relationship with their children.

Read more: Children feel neglected by mobile phone-addicted parents: Report

The report revealed children feel neglected when their parents are engrossed in their mobile phones and crave more attention from them, with 60 per cent of children saying they were concerned about the stress in their lives and feared their parents weren’t interested enough to care.

What are your thoughts? How young is too young to own a mobile phone? How old were your own children and grandchildren when they received their first mobile phone?