Media In The Lives of 8 to 18 Year Olds

In January 2010, the Kaiser Family Foundation released the third edition in a series of reports covering how children aged 8 to 18 use media in their lives. As usual, this KFF report is eye opening and a must-read for parents and anyone interested in the use of media by children.

“Televisions and other visual media devices are taking over kids' bedrooms”

The study had over 2,000 young participants from the US and revealed some shocking statistics. Overall, kids total media use is now 10 hours 45 minutes in a typical day! Television is still by far the most popular, but what is contributing to the increase in daily use is simultaneous use of more than one technology. For example, kids who text or use their laptop computer while viewing television. Compared to 1999, the total daily media use was over three hours less!

Other notable changes: Kids now use cell phones more as an entertainment device than to talk on. And televisions and other visual media devices are taking over kids' bedrooms which have contributed greatly to increased media use.