Joint Research Center
Executive Summary
JRC, in the framework of the project ECIT, Empowering Citizen’s Rights in emerging ICT set up a Research Network focusing on children’s use of new (online) technologies for ages 0-8 years old. Within that frame, and following the guidelines set by JRC, the Cyprus Neuroscience & Technology Institute (CNTI) conducted interviews in ten Greek-Cypriot families with children below 8 years old. Two families from each city (Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca and Famagusta) were selected, one living in an urban and the other living in a rural area. Several other criteria were also set in selecting the families (i.e. income status, marital status, older/younger siblings, only child). Semi-structured interviews to parents and children were used to identify the use of new (online) technologies by children as well as the perception/attitudes and mediation of use by parents. The analysis of the interviews indicated among others that all children use to a certain extent with new (online) technologies, being aware of how to turn on/off the wifi, download games from Play/Apple Store and turn on/off a smart phone or tablet. Additionally, it has been found that the age of first use of the internet is lowering as time goes by, having 2-years old using these devices for playing games, watching cartoons and listening to music.
Key findings
◿ Electronic devices are part of the parent’s and children’s lives in all the families interviewed in Cyprus. Children as young as 2 years old seem to be using these devices to a certain extent (games, cartoons, music).
◿ Parents seem to have accepted that new technologies are part of today’s life and as this trend is increasing they want their children to learn how to use them.
◿ The only common activity (all members of family involved at the same time) done using digital technologies is watching movies on TV.
◿ No children are allowed to take digital media with them at school, but some are allowed to take the devices at restaurants and at the houses of friends.
◿ The use of digital devices by children increases a lot during the summer because of the increased free time they have as schools close.
◿ Children use the digital media as a way to spend their time when they are alone, so they view digital media as a game that keeps them company when other children are not around. A lot of children reported no interest in using these devices when friends come over.
◿ The children do not realize the online dangers that they are exposed to when they use the internet. Most of them only reported that the digital devices can harm their eyes.
◿ The parents are mostly worried about the fact that digital devices can lead to isolation and that people can become addicted when they use them a lot. A number of them expressed worries regarding the future use of the internet by their children since it can lead to talking to strangers.
◿ Most parents understand that it is important for their children to familiarize with the use of digital media. The fact that their children are gaining a lot of new knowledge through the use of these devices is viewed as a huge positive.
◿ Most parents don’t have specific rules because they feel that at the time usage is not that high and extensive.
◿ Some parents check the games downloaded by their children and if inappropriate they delete them.
◿ Only three families have set specific time frames for using the digital devices.
◿ Rules reported were not enforced after discussing with children. They were decided by parents and announced to the children.
◿ The digital media are also viewed as a great help by some parents who find it hard to do housework when their children are around. Handing them the device to play with, restricts the children at one place and quiet, thus allowing the parents to do what they have to do without worrying for them.
