A study conducted by Common Sense , a non-profit media organization , revealed that young teenagers aged 10 to 12 from families with an annual income of less than $35,000 spend more time using their devices than teenagers from more affluent families.
According to the research, children from the poorest families spend about 8.5 hours using their devices compared to those whose families are wealthier and earn more than $100,000, who spend an average of 6 hours and 49 minutes in front of their smartphone, computer or other gadgets.
The results debunk the belief that wealthier children spend more hours in front of screens because they can afford to have more devices.
One reason for this difference is that technology is now a relatively affordable form of entertainment. Children and adolescents from less affluent families can more easily access devices and the internet than other activities that cost more money.
The percentage of young people who watch content online “every day” has doubled drastically since 2015. Previously, the percentage was 24% and now stands at 56% among children between 8 and 12 years old, while for teenagers aged 13 to 18 it has increased from 34% to 69%.
The report reveals that smartphone ownership has increased dramatically. Almost one in five children (aged 8 years) own a smartphone. By age 12, more than two thirds or 69% of children have a smartphone.
This is not surprising. Boys also appear to play video games more than girls. 70% of boys between the ages of 8 and 18 say they enjoy playing video games “a lot,” while only 23% of girls say the same. Girls’ favorite activity is music, and 73% of girls between the ages of 8 and 18 say they enjoy it “a lot.”
