Children spending longer online

Thu Oct 29 2009 17:32:21

Children are spending more time than ever staring at a screen rather than playing outside.

A poll by uSwitch has found that on an average day school pupils use the web or watch television for three hours once they are home from class.

The research also revealed 29 per cent of children now have access to the internet in their bedrooms, with 63 per cent going online before bed.

It also found that a third of parents have no filters on their computers to prevent them viewing unsuitable content.

Jason Glynn, from uSwitch.com, said: "In an age where engaging content such as on-demand TV will only increase the amount of hours our children spend online, we urge parents to contact their internet providers to see what controls are available to them.

"Speed and price should take second place to safety, but with most broadband services including filtering software for free, there really is no excuse not to take action."

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