Parents Positive Towards Children Having Mobile Phones

Ipsos research, conducted on behalf of Disney and O2, reveals that parents of children aged between 8 and 16 believe the overall advantages of a child using a mobile phone outweigh the overall disadvantages. A majority would welcome a mobile phone package especially designed for use by families with children.

Ipsos research, conducted on behalf of Disney and O2, reveals that parents of children aged between 8 and 16 believe the overall advantages of a child using a mobile phone outweigh the overall disadvantages. A majority would welcome a mobile phone package especially designed for use by families with children.

Parents see the main benefits to children aged 8 and upwards owning a mobile phone as: being able to make sure children are safe at any time; being able to contact children at any time; and, children being able to contact family at any time. These are also the main reasons given by parents whose children actually have a mobile phone.

The main area of concern surrounding children owning a mobile phone is that children can be mugged for them. However, levels of concern over muggings are still outweighed by belief in the safety benefits of a mobile phone.

Even when faced with the possibility of claimed health risks parents still believe that the overall advantages of a child having a mobile phone outweigh claimed health risks.

Technical details

Ipsos interviewed a nationally representative quota sample of 1,934 adults aged 15+ in 161 sample points throughout Great Britain. 343 were parents or guardians of children aged 8 to 16. Interviews were carried out face-to-face in respondents' homes. Fieldwork was conducted between 13 and 19 January 2006.

Topline Results

Q1 I am now going to read out some statements about children aged 8 and upwards and mobile phones. Taking your answer from this card, please tell me the extent to which you agree or disagree with each one? Base: All parents / guardians of children aged 8-16 (343)

 Strongly agreeTend to agreeNeither agree nor disagreeTend to disagreeStrongly disagreeNo opinion
 %%%%%%
The overall advantages of a child using a mobile phone outweigh the overall disadvantages1744181182
The overall advantages of a child using a mobile phone outweigh any claimed health risks1340211773
I would welcome a mobile phone package i.e. tariffs, features and handsets, especially designed for use by families with children22371413103

Q2 On this card are a number of reasons for children aged 8 and upwards owning a mobile phone. Please tell me which two or three, if any, you personally see as beneficial to children. Base: All parents / guardians of children aged 8-16 (343)

 %
You can make sure your children are safe at any time78
You can contact your children at any time75
Children can contact parents / family at any time68
Mobiles allow children more independence than if they did not have one8
Mobiles can help to improve your children's communication skills4
It is educational for children to engage with new technology3
Mobiles are a 'must have' item for today's children2
Mobiles add to children's enjoyment of life2
None of these3
Don't know1

Q3 On this card are a number of concerns about children aged 8 and upwards owning a mobile phone. Please tell me which two or three of these, if any, you personally are concerned about? Base: All parents / guardians of children aged 8-16 (343)

 %
Children can be mugged for mobile phones69
Children can be contacted by people with dubious motives towards them39
Children can access adult / inappropriate images33
Children are not responsible in keeping control of costs33
Children can be bullied by mobile phone i.e. threatening calls, messages29
Children who do not have the latest handsets may be teased / bullied for that reason15
I believe mobile phones are not good for children's health14
Mobile phones are too expensive a luxury for children12
None of these5
Don't know3

Q4 What is the main reason for your child / children having a mobile phone? Base: All with children who have a mobile phone of their own (232)

 %
You can make sure your child / children are safe at any time46
You can contact your child / children at any time32
Your child / children can contact you at any time15
Mobiles add to your child's / children's enjoyment of life2
Mobiles help to improve your children's communication skills1
Mobiles allow your child / children more independence than if they did not have one*
Mobiles are a 'must have' item for today's children*
It is educational for your child / children to engage with new technology-
Other3
None of these-
Don't know-

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