Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 04-01-2018

A poll conducted for Common Sense Media has found four out of five or 81% of secondary school students in South Africa own or have access to a mobile phone. 

In comparison, about 46% of children 9 to 16 own a smartphone in Europe, while American children are typically given phones at a slightly younger age.

The report by CNN at looked at a number of studies published around the world, to determine the average age children were being given their first phones. 

Citing the American Academy of Pediatrics, CNN notes that there is no “right” age to expose your child to screens or hand them their own cell phone.

Giovanna Mascheroni, a senior lecturer at the Università Cattolica of Milan in Italy and lead author of the study says with the advancement and accessibility of technology, more children are beginning to own mobile phones. 

“Back in 2014, around 80% of children owned either a mobile phone or a smartphone; 46% owned a smartphone and 33% a mobile phone. Children in Portugal were more affected by the economic crisis, so they reported not having an Internet plan any longer because it was too expensive.”

However, Mascheroni says children across countries were also sensitive to costs.

“They used Wi-Fi networks when possible and switched 3G or 4G off to save money and power.”

Last year the academy recommended that children younger than 18 to 24 months avoid using digital media regularly and also advised that for children 2 to 5, screen time should be limited to one hour per day.

No matter the age, the academy recommended to avoid using media as the only way to calm your child, monitor your child’s media content and what apps are used or downloaded, avoid screens one hour before bedtime, and keep meal times screen-free.

– Business Tech 

Twitter: @FaizelPatel143