The e-Enfance/3018 Association, with the support of Google reveals a study* on children's first steps on the internet. She reveals that it is at 5 years and 10 months that the children start using the internet and that 46% of them are equipped with a smartphone before the age of 10.
First uses of the Internet by children aged 6 to 10
According to the study, Les children's first steps on the Internet are done with their parents but very quickly, the’usage becomes independent at 6 years and 10 months. We note that the first uses are mainly related to entertainment : watching videos, creative applications, listening to music, with the aim of relaxing, having fun and satisfying one's curiosity.
Near half of the parents surveyed confirm that their child's introduction to the Internet took place earlier than initially planned.
Digital native parents face a paradox when it comes to their children's use of the internet child
This new generation of parents has grown up with digital technology. However, she is nonetheless also cconfronted to challenges of children discovering the Internet. We can see that 93% parents respondents believe they control their child's use of the Internet but 60% remain concerned about potential dangers.
A very strong demand for support from parents
Despite this generation of «digital native» parents, many of them are looking for digital parenting support solutions and are open to different methods : websites (70%), tutorial videos (62%) or organisation of training in schools (60%)
*Study conducted by Toluna – Harris Interactive for the Association e-Enfance/3018, with the support of Google. Quantitative survey conducted online from 6 to 14 February 2023 among a representative sample of 616 people. parents of children aged 6 to 10 and a representative sample of 432 children aged 6 to 10.
