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Study: Every fifth toddler has their own tablet

20.6.2024

Translation: machine translated

A German study provides figures on media use by two to five-year-olds. In 2023, one in five toddlers used their own tablet - 50 per cent more than three years ago. But they still prefer books.

More and more young children have access to electronic devices. And the numbers are rising fast. These are two findings from the new "miniKIM study" on media use by two to five-year-old children in Germany, for which 600 parents were surveyed.

According to the study, one in five toddlers (21 per cent) had their own tablet in 2023 - an increase of 50 per cent since the last survey in 2020. Among four to five-year-old preschool children, the figure is as high as 28 per cent. One in ten toddlers also already has their own mobile or smartphone, compared to just four per cent in 2020. Meanwhile, 23 per cent of two to five-year-olds use at least one device with web access every day - in the form of a smartphone, tablet, laptop or voice assistant.

The study also provides data on content usage time: On average, young children consume 67 minutes a day of moving images, 38 minutes they use a jukebox and 37 minutes are spent on books.

Parents in a quandary

These are not just impressive figures provided by the study. It also reveals an impressive dichotomy when it comes to the topic of media use: the majority of parents surveyed are critical of their children's smartphone use. They believe that the device harbours many dangers (88 per cent). 58 per cent are of the opinion that smartphones are generally not for children. On the other hand, around half of parents also see advantages. Children can learn new things through the devices (52 per cent) and learn through play (46 per cent).

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The fact that - despite frequent media use - most young children's everyday lives are still strongly characterised by play seems to be a reconciliation. 72 per cent spend time playing outside every day or almost every day, 71 per cent indoors. This is followed by playing with (picture) books (62 per cent) and painting, drawing or crafting (49 per cent). According to their parents, books are also the medium that young children would least like to do without.

Media education starts with the little ones

For the fourth time, the Media Education Research Association Southwest has published the "miniKIM Study" in cooperation with the two media authorities of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate and Südwestrundfunk. Around 600 parents and guardians were surveyed in the form of an online interview. According to the publishers, the study is representative of German-speaking parents of young children.

"Media are an integral part of everyday life for young children today," summarised Wolfang Kreissig, President of the Baden-Württemberg State Institute for Communication, in a media release. "This makes it clear that media education must also start with the youngest children in order to accompany them continuously as they 'grow up digitally'." Marc Jan Eumann, Director of the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority, puts the onus on parents. By making the large number of media increasingly accessible to their young children, their responsibility to supervise media use and organise it in an age-appropriate way is growing. He points out the importance of filter software and protection programmes on devices.

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Katja Fischer

Senior Editor

Katja.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.ch

Mom of Anna and Elsa, aperitif expert, group fitness fanatic, aspiring dancer and gossip lover. Often a multitasker and a person who wants it all, sometimes a chocolate chef and queen of the couch.

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