On April 19, 2024, Ofcom published its annual research on children's media use in the UK, highlighting the growing digital presence of children as young as five to seven.

    Social media use among 5–7-year-olds increased from 30% to 38% year on year. TikTok use increased from 25% to 30%, while Instagram rose from 14% to 22%. Twenty-four percent owned a smartphone, and 76% used a tablet.

Among parents whose 5–7-year-olds used social media, 32% reported that their child used it independently. Online gaming among this age group also increased from 34% to 41%.

Comment from GAME-F

Digital-life issues are no longer confined to adolescence. The presence of social media, smartphones and online gaming among children aged five to seven suggests that digital education needs to begin earlier.

Beyond “When should children get a device?” to “When should we start teaching them how to use it?”

References

Ofcom — A window into young children’s online worlds

Ofcom — Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2024