I frequently speak on the impact of media on children. But I was not prepared for
the alarming statistics of very young children and digital media. According to a recent
survey by Common Sense Media, half of children under age 8 have access to mobile
media.

Over the decades we have been able to document how people adapt to new
technologies. We still have a significant percentage of people who were born before
network TV existed. And we have a very large percentage who were born before the
Internet was available in most homes. But what about those who have been surrounded
by digital media since birth? This latest survey shows how young children consume
media in a very significant way.

As I just mentioned, half (52%) of young children now have access to one of the
newer mobile devices: either a smartphone (41%), a video iPod (21%), or an iPad or
other tablet device (8%). Also, a quarter (29%) of all parents have downloaded apps for
their children to use.

Computer use is also pervasive among young children. Over half (53%) of all 2-
to-4-year-olds have used a computer, and nine out of ten (90%) of 5-to-8-year-olds have
done so. For many of these children, computer use is a regular occurrence. The survey
found that the average age of first use was just 3½ years old.

Playing console video games is also popular among young children. Half (51%)
have played such a game. The average age of first use was just under 4 years old.

But in the midst of all this new technology, television is still king. Three-fourths
(74%) of media consumption of kids under age 8 still consists of watching the big screen
not the small computer or video screen. And by the time they turn 8–years-old, they are
likely to have a TV in their room.

Perhaps the most depressing statistic of all is that children under age 2 spend
more than twice as much time watching video as they do being read to. Parents take note.
Your kids spend too much time with digital technology.