Topic for Oct. 27. ( Fir )

[날아라쩡아]

Survey: 7-Year-Olds Regularly Using Social Media

Almost half of children in Wales aged between 7 and 11 use social media sites at least a few times every week.

That's according to a large survey by researchers from Cardiff University.

More than 32,500 children in this age group took part in the survey, with 48% saying that they use social media sites or apps a few times a week or every day.

Most of the pupils said they had a smartphone, including 83% of those aged 10 and 11, and 43% of those aged 7 and 8.

Just under a third of those youngest pupils said they use social media regularly.

The minimum age to use many of the most popular social media sites, including TikTok and Instagram, is 13.

However, it is very easy for younger children to use them by giving a false age, since there are no extra checks.

Emily van de Venter, a public health expert, said the results of the survey were "concerning."

She said it's important for parents to speak to their children about the dangers of using social media.

In fact, more than a quarter of the 10- and 11-year-olds who were surveyed said that they had recently been bullied online.

Kelly Morgan, one of the researchers, said that many young children began using smartphones during the Coronavirus pandemic when they were learning from home.