What does research tell us about 14-15 year olds online?
The ACMA research project Media and Communications in Australian Families 2007 is an in-depth study of young people’s use of electronic media and the way parents mediate that use.
The research involved a representative telephone survey of parents from 751 households across Australia and a three-day time-use diary completed by 1003 young people aged 8–17 years.
The research shows that, in 2007, young people in middle secondary years were consolidating their use of internet-enabled computers and mobile phones. Young people aged 14–15 years reported participating in a range of internet and mobile phone activities over three diary days.
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45 per cent used the internet to complete homework.
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41 per cent used the internet for messaging and chat.
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26 percent used a mobile phone for talking.
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32 per cent used a mobile phone for texting.
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28 per cent engaged in social networking.
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27 percent used the internet to play online games against other players.
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21 per cent used the internet to watch/listen to media.