The Kids Have IT!

Media and Communications in Australian Families 2007:
The Australian Media and Communications Authority released a major report of an in-depth study of children’s use of electronic media and the way parents mediate that use.

"The Media and Communications in Australian Families 2007 report surveyed a representative sample of 751 family households with children aged between 8 and 17 to gauge media use in the home, how young people divide their leisure time and how parents view their children’s use of media and communications technologies. The report also includes a review of academic research about the influences of media and communications activities on children."

"The report found that in relation to the families surveyed:

• Most families with children aged 8 to 17 have three or more televisions in their home and three or more mobile phones. Almost every family home has a computer (98 per cent) and DVD player (97 per cent).
• Nine-in-ten family homes with children have the internet, and 76 per cent of these homes have broadband compared to just seven per cent in 1995. More than three-quarters of family homes have a games console.
• Almost all parents with children aged 8 to 17 see the internet as beneficial for their children, mainly as providing learning or educational opportunities. Similarly, four-fifths of these parents see benefits in their child’s use of a mobile phone, particularly for safety and security.
• Families say electronic media and communications activities take up around half of young people's total discretionary time – a proportion that has not changed since 1995. Children themselves demonstrate a balanced attitude to the use of electronic media and communications. When given a preference, young people often prefer to do non-media activities and socialise with other people."

ACMA media release 148/2007

Media and Communications in Australian Families 2007

ACMA Presentation

Similar survey from USA
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/230/report_display.asp

Q1. Have we reached saturation point?
Q2. How does this affect consumer behaviour?
Q3. What are possible ethical issues?