However, they are also watching more TV than ever before, with viewing figures increasing by 2 hours since 2007. In 2010 children aged 4-15 watched an average of 17 hours and 34 minutes of TV per week, compared with 15 hours and 37 minutes in 2007.* Nearly one third (31 per cent) of children aged 5-15 who use the internet at home are watching TV via an online catch-up service on their PC/laptop, such as the BBC iPlayer or ITV Player.
Ofcom’s research also reveals that more than nine out of ten (95 per cent) 12-15 year olds now have internet access at home through a PC or laptop, up from 89 per cent in 2010 and 77 per cent in 2007.
Mobile social networking increases among 12-15s
Social networking is still one of the most popular uses of the internet amongst 12-15s, although the number of children with social networking profiles has stayed static since 2010 at 3 per cent of 5-7s who use the internet at home, 28 per cent of 8-11s and 75 per cent of 12-15s.
However, children are visiting social network sites more often on their mobiles, driven by the increase in smart phone ownership. Half (50 per cent) of 12-15s with a smartphone visit them weekly compared with 33 per cent in 2010. Here to read more.
