11/15/2013
Children, on average, start to play games on smartphones and mobile devices at age eight, down from 2011, when kids typically starting playing on these devices at age 11, according to the NPD Group.
Teens spend seven hours per week playing games on mobile devices, up from five hours in 2011.
The top devices used by children ages 2-17 to play games are desktop computers, mobile devices, laptops, and consoles.
Sales of video games, software, and accessories were $443 million in July, down 19% year-over-year.
Meanwhile, 46% of kids ages 8-15 have argued or disagreed with their parents over their technology usage, according to KidSay and The Marketing Store. Seven in 10 (70%) have argued about the amount of time spent on electronic devices, and 51% have argued over how electronic devices “get in the way of other things in life.”
One in three families argue over the cost of these devices (34%) and the activities performed using them (32%).
More than four in 10 families disagree about the time children spend using these devices. These kids say their parents think they use them “a little too much” (27%) and “way too much” 15%. However, the percentage of those who say their parents think they are spending “too much time” varies depending on their age and gender. Teens are more likely than tweens to say their parents think they spend “way too much time” on devices (46% vs. 37%). Girls are more likely than boys to think their parents disapprove of their time usage (17% vs. 13%).
Furthermore, girls spend most of their technology time using smartphones. Boys, on the other hand, spend most of their time using video game consoles.
Parents do attempt to set limits on their children’s technology usage. Having a time limit is the rule moms rank as “most important” for the TV (44%), computer (34%), and video games (40%).
SOURCES: KidSay, Bob Reynolds, President, 804 N. Meadowbrook Dr., #116, Olathe, KS 66062; 913-390-8110; bob@kidsay.com; www.kidsay.com.
The Marketing Store, Heather Gately, 701 E. 22nd St., Lombard, IL 60148; 630-693-1607; hello.globall@themarketingstore.com; www.globalkidsstudy.com.
NPD Group, David Riley, Director, 900 W. Shore Rd., Port Washington, NY 11050; 516-625-2277; david_riley@npd.com; www.npd.com.
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