CorpComms Magazine

More than half of American children under the age of eight are using iPods, iPads and mobile devices, according to a recent study.

The Zero to Eight: Children's Media Use in America study found that children are increasingly using mobile devices to consume media, and that it is becoming a regular part of their day-to-day lives, even replacing their favourite toys.

Up to 40 per cent of two to four year olds are using televisions, mobile devices and apps.

The study revealed that one out of ten children up to the age of eight regularly use a mobile phone, iPod or iPad, and will spend up to three quarters of an hour each time doing so.

More than a quarter of parents have downloaded an app specifically for their children to use.

The study found that more than two out of five children have a television set in their bedrooms. And 30 per cent of those aged between zero and one had a television in their bedroom. This figure rose to 44 per cent in the two to four year old age group, and 47 per cent for the five to eight year olds.

Ten per cent of those aged zero to one have their own mobile device, which rises to 39 per cent for two to four year olds.

In a typical day, 11 per cent of children were found to use a smartphone, video iPod or iPad to play games, watch videos or use apps. The study revealed that infants aged between zero and one spend twice as much time watching DVDs than being read to.

Almost a quarter of five to eight year olds use more than one device at a time.

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