Almost three-quarters of children between eight and 15 own a mobile phone, and almost as many have a tablet device. However, around half of parents (46%) stop kids from spending their pocket money on digital downloads, according to research in the latest Halifax annual pocket money survey. This does not deter children, however, with more than eight in 10 youngsters claiming they download online content.
Pollsters quizzed 1,202 children aged eight to 15, and 575 parents of children aged 15 and below, and found that seven in 10 (73%) children own a mobile, while 63% have a tablet such as an iPad. Some 91% of kids with a mobile phone have a smartphone as opposed to an old Nokia or similar “ancient” handset.
Other types of digital devices, however, have become less popular according to the bank. It found that while a third of children own an iPod, only 22% own an MP3 player.
Meanwhile, parents are still paying for most children’s mobile phone bills. More than eight in 10 children (82%) say it is the responsibility of their parents to pay their bills, with only a little over one in 10 (13%) saying it is down to them.
When it comes to the content that youngsters are downloading, sometimes against their parents’ wishes, games (63%) and apps (58%) are the most popular, followed by music (52%) and films (22%).
More than a third (36%) of parents who do not allow children to spend their pocket money on digital downloads cite accessing inappropriate content as a reason. Almost one in three parents are also worried about children overspending online, with dads more concerned than mums (39% against 26%).
Giles Martin, head of Halifax savings, says: “While spending on ‘virtual’ items could give kids the impression of not involving ‘real’ money, parents can use this as an opportunity to educate them on the real costs of downloads. Discussing how to best use their pocket money can be a simple and effective way to teach them the basics of money management and equip them with important budgeting skills for the future.”
