Study finds 48% of parents feel internet is good for kids
Less than half of parents believe broadband and other forms of internet access have a positive effect on the lives of their children, according to new research.
An online survey conducted by ParentPort, a website established last October to offer mums and dads a new way to complain about material they see or hear from the media, retail and communications industries, revealed 48 per cent of respondents feel the internet makes a positive contribution to their children.
The poll also unveiled concerns about gadgets given to children at Christmas, with some parents saying they were worried that gifted laptops and smartphones would give youngsters a way to browse the web without supervision.
Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, commented: "This survey reveals the challenges facing parents when it comes to their children's use of the media."
The study echoes recent research from TalkTalk, which found six in ten parents are worried their children may accidentally view inappropriate content while online.
Despite this, the internet service provider discovered that almost 40 per cent of seven-year-olds and 60 per cent of nine-year-olds have accessed the internet alone.
