broadband news

Broadband fuelling ‘toxic childhood’

From the time today’s children open their eyes in the morning, to the minute their heads hit the pillow at night, they are surrounded by broadband and other media.

Broadband, televisions and games consoles are all contributing to excessive ‘screen time’, which amounts to almost six hours a day, according to new research.

The study is part of an ongoing annual survey, now in its 15th year, which looks at the broadband and technology activity of 1800 children at 92 schools across Britain.

From the age of seven, children are building multimedia hubs in their bedrooms which include broadband, MP3 players and games consoles.

Furthermore, where children would once snuggle into their sheets with a good story book, it seems the trend now leans towards twilight broadband. 38% of 14-year-old girls now surf broadband in bed on their console. In 2006 84% of children surveyed said they read for pleasure, this trend has now slumped to 74%.

“This year has seen a major boost to the intensity and the independence with which children approach online [broadband] activities,” the study, reported in the Guardian, says.

The government has already funded a psychological study, looking at broadband and children’s media habits, in what has been dubbed a ‘toxic childhood’.

Today’s youth, however, appears to be developing valuable experience in time management. Broadband and screen time has become so all-encompassing that five to 16 year olds are now skilled managers of their free time.

21/01/2009
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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