Fear of exclusion leads many parents to give their children mobile phones and access to social media earlier than they really want. This is according to a new report from the Norwegian Media Authority.
– In order for parents to feel more confident in their choices, the public should provide clearer and more agreed advice. The Norwegian Media Authority wants to contribute to this, says Director Mari Velsand.
Norwegian children are getting mobile phones earlier and earlier. 17 percent of children got their first mobile phone before the age of seven, according to the Norwegian Media Authority's Children and Media Survey 2022. 93 percent of all children aged nine to eleven now own a mobile phone, compared to 86 percent ten years ago. The percentage of people with a smartphone was 2012 percent in 49, while the rest had a phone without a smart function.
Half of nine- and ten-year-olds use social media
The smartphone enables the use of social media. Data from Children and Media 2022 shows that half of nine- and ten-year-olds use social media.
“While parents understand that children may be exposed to both content and situations that they may not be mature enough to handle, many children access social media before the age of 13. According to parents, the main reason is the fear that children will be excluded, says Velsand.
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This was revealed in the "Digital dilemmas" report by the Norwegian Media Authority, which interviewed ten different Norwegian families with children between the ages of nine and twelve about their experiences with a mobile phone for the first time. The report, which is being released on the occasion of Safer Internet Day on February 7, explores and expands on the results of the Children and Media 2022 survey.
Using social media leads to sleep deprivation
Although the children interviewed say using a mobile phone is fun and exciting, some of them say it is difficult to put the mobile phone down when they really want to. Children also say that being available to friends all the time is fun.
This is confirmed by the results of the Danish Media Authority Children and Media 2022 survey, in which almost three in ten people aged 9-18 say that they would like to log out of social media more often. Just as many claim that social media use leads to sleep deprivation.
“Some of the children we spoke to could imagine stricter rules. Some thought many children were getting mobile phones and social media too early, says Velsand.
We invite you to the debate on social media
In recent weeks there has been a lively debate about the use of social media by children and young people. Some advocated a higher age limit to protect young people from harmful content and other negative consequences.
– The debate on both age limits and other measures is important. We know from our surveys that many parents feel left to their own devices when choosing what their children can do online. Parents are also demanding clearer advice and recommendations. Various public authorities should work together to develop clear, knowledge-based and concerted advice, says Velsand.
Velsand points out that a natural forum for such work could be the working group that is currently developing an action plan linked to the national strategy for safe digital education ("Rett på nett"). The Norwegian Media Authority is working with the Health Directorate, the Education Directorate, the Children, Youth and Families Directorate, the Norwegian Police Directorate, the Data Protection Authority and the Consumer Protection Authority to develop an action plan.
New EU rules place more responsibility on platforms
The Norwegian Media Authority also believes that global platforms need to take more responsibility for the content of their services. This will become easier when the new EU rules on digital services (Digital Services Act - DSA) come into force. These rules mean, among other things, that targeted marketing and manipulative projects aimed at minors are prohibited.
– The Norwegian Media Authority also supports the Privacy Commission's proposal to review the national legislation on the protection of children and young people in the digital space, says Velsand.
Read the Norwegian Media Authority report "Digital Dilemmas" here
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Source: Medietilsynet
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