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Children in Austria are getting their own smartphones earlier and earlier, on average at the age of nine. Parents worry about safety, bullying, and excessive use.
Children in Austria are getting their own smartphones earlier and earlier: on average, they get their first cell phone at the age of nine, according to the mobile phone provider “Drei.” Günter Lischka, CEO of the company, announced this at a press conference in Vienna on Friday. It is based on a survey commissioned by “Drei” and conducted by the Marketmind Institute among more than 1,000 parents of eight- to 14-year-olds.
Safety on the way to school is the main argument for the first smartphone
Above all, safety aspects and accessibility – especially on the way to school – are decisive factors for many parents when it comes to buying a cell phone at an early age. “At 14, more or less every child has a smartphone,” says Lischka. By comparison, today’s 40-year-olds received their first cell phone on average at the age of ten.
At the same time, the topic is becoming increasingly controversial in the context of cell phone bans in schools. The concerns of many parents: excessive use, problematic content and lack of privacy protection
Excessive cell phone use: parents often intervene to regulate
More than half of the parents surveyed actively take measures to protect their children on their cell phones: 51% technically restrict screen time or app use, and 43% change privacy settings. Around a quarter regularly check browser histories and chats.
Nevertheless, many are concerned about possible risks: 73% cite violent content, pornography, or extremist content as the greatest danger, followed by bullying, data protection problems, and hidden additional costs through in-app purchases.
Psychotherapist Julia Dier emphasizes, “Even if real cell phone addiction is not a mass phenomenon, we find problematic smartphone use in all age groups. The behavior of parents has an important role model effect.”
New counseling service to help
Due to the growing demand—according to Lischka, some parents are already asking for cell phones for four- to six-year-olds—Drei has launched the “Safe” initiative. The new “Child & Youth Protection Go” service is now available in all stores across Austria. Employees help set up child-friendly settings, from screen time limits to content filters and location queries.
A cooperation with the start-up “Ohana” complements the offering with a special child protection app. It focuses on educational content instead of surveillance. Chats and browser histories are not read—warnings are only issued for problematic websites. The app also offers special modes, such as learning or sleep time. A paid subscription is required to use the app.
- source: APA/picture:
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