Techy tots are leading the way in the gadget stakes with nearly two-thirds of parents admitting their children know as much or more about technology than they do, according to new research from energy company E.ON.
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Demonstrating a strong shift in the workings of family life, over three million confused parents have asked their tech-savvy toddlers for advice on how to work gadgets - with men being twice as likely to do so.
As well as being an entertainment staple for young children, the research reveals increasing enthusiasm for gadgets has affected more traditional rites of passage as we grow up.
Younger parents (18-34 years old) are twice as likely to introduce their offspring to the world of literature via tablets and e-readers compared to their older counterparts.
The findings show parents are worried about the effect continual gadget use is having on family life, with almost half (41 per cent) feeling their time as a family has been negatively affected by their children’s over-use of gadgets.
Beverley Maguire, energy efficiency expert at E.ON, said: “Young children are extremely quick to learn – and gadget use is no different. Technology can be a great way to engage children in new skills such as reading – but it’s important to control gadget use so that kids don’t become over-reliant on technology and also to help keep tabs on household energy use.”
The research found that 68 per cent of parents would like to spend more time outdoors as a family; over half (54 per cent) wish their children spent more time doing traditional activities; and a third of parents admit they talk less as a family because their kids are distracted by technology.
Parental concerns are understandable, with over half (54 per cent) of children admitting they use at least six gadgets a day. Worryingly, the same percentage of children spends more time using technology than any other form of entertainment.
The research demonstrates how influential gadgets are in the lives of young people, with one in five children using a mobile phone by the age of five. Almost half (45 per cent) of 6 – 14 year olds say they can’t live without their gadgets and a third concede they’d struggle without their TV, laptop or iPad.
As well as acting as technology advisor to their parents, E.ON’s findings show that children are now also undertaking traditional ‘firsts’ earlier than their parents did. Children now are likely to learn to ride a bike by the age of four, compared to their parents’ average age of six.
To download E.ON’s new ways to save energy booklet, visit eonenergy.com/waystosave
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