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.
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 agree | Tend to agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Tend to disagree | Strongly disagree | No opinion | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
% | % | % | % | % | % | |
The overall advantages of a child using a mobile phone outweigh the overall disadvantages | 17 | 44 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
The overall advantages of a child using a mobile phone outweigh any claimed health risks | 13 | 40 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 3 |
I would welcome a mobile phone package i.e. tariffs, features and handsets, especially designed for use by families with children | 22 | 37 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 3 |
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 time | 78 |
You can contact your children at any time | 75 |
Children can contact parents / family at any time | 68 |
Mobiles allow children more independence than if they did not have one | 8 |
Mobiles can help to improve your children's communication skills | 4 |
It is educational for children to engage with new technology | 3 |
Mobiles are a 'must have' item for today's children | 2 |
Mobiles add to children's enjoyment of life | 2 |
None of these | 3 |
Don't know | 1 |
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 phones | 69 |
Children can be contacted by people with dubious motives towards them | 39 |
Children can access adult / inappropriate images | 33 |
Children are not responsible in keeping control of costs | 33 |
Children can be bullied by mobile phone i.e. threatening calls, messages | 29 |
Children who do not have the latest handsets may be teased / bullied for that reason | 15 |
I believe mobile phones are not good for children's health | 14 |
Mobile phones are too expensive a luxury for children | 12 |
None of these | 5 |
Don't know | 3 |
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 time | 46 |
You can contact your child / children at any time | 32 |
Your child / children can contact you at any time | 15 |
Mobiles add to your child's / children's enjoyment of life | 2 |
Mobiles help to improve your children's communication skills | 1 |
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 | - |
Other | 3 |
None of these | - |
Don't know | - |