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3 in 4 children aged 0-4 years use devices

14 October 2015

Latest Research Highlight from the UKCCIS Evidence Group highlights new findings from CHILDWISE about the technology habits of 0-4 year olds.

The 84th Research Highlight published today by the Evidence Group of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, on their Research page on the UK Safer Internet Centre website, provides a 2 page summary of new research from CHILDWISE.

The research explores the trends in the media use of children aged up to 4 years, based on interviews of over a thousand parents of 0-4 year olds.

The research found that among children aged 0-4 years:

  • Almost 3 in 4 use tablets, laptops or computers (73%), with 41% doing so every day

  • Over 1 in 4 have their own device (29%)

  • The majority of children with access to a tablet or computer use it to watch TV programmes and video clips (71%), and to play games and apps (65%). One in six pre-schoolers use a tablet or computer to video call family and friends (16%).

  • More than half of all pre-schoolers use apps of some kind (52%), either on a smart phone, tablet or elsewhere. CBeebies Playtime is their favourite app. Other popular apps mentioned include YouTube, plus Peppa Pig and Disney apps.

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