Changing Net Use Among UK Youngsters

Three quarters of all 7 to 16-year-olds in the UK are now Internet users, according to a survey just released by NOP Family. Based on the latest six-monthly findings from kids.net, NOP reports a 10% surge in Internet use growth in the six months to April 2001.

Three quarters of all 7 to 16-year-olds in the UK are now Internet users, according to a survey just released by NOP Family. Based on the latest six-monthly findings from kids.net, NOP reports a 10% surge in Internet use growth in the six months to April 2001.

The new data show that there are now an estimated 5.6 million 7 to 16-year-old Internet users in the UK. This represents a rise in the total from 4.8 million in October 2000. At the same time, gender is becoming less important among users. The survey reveals that 2.7 million 7 to 16-year-old girls are now Internet users, compared to 2.9 million 7 to 16-year-old boys.

Other detail shows that, with GCSE exam results imminent, there has been a significant increase in the use of the Internet for exam revision and homework: 23% of all users use it for exam revision. This rises to over half (53%) among 15 to 16-year-olds, an increase of 14% in 6 months among this age group. 9 out of 10 of all users say that the Internet helps them with their learning.

Perhaps lacking the means to fund online shopping splurges, interest in looking for things to buy on the Net remains muted. Only 1 in 3 7 to 16-year-old Internet users (30%) has looked for something to buy, with only 12% of users actually buying something.

According to Barbie Clarke, director of NOP Family, 'The Internet is now a natural part of the life of a 7 to 16-year-old. It is only a year or two since the Net was regarded as the preserve of the nerdy 15-year-old boy closeted in his bedroom. Now, quite rightly, it is - and, equally importantly for the young - is seen to be open to boys and girls alike.'

The research was conducted on a sample of 1071 7 to 16-year-old Internet users between 11 and 25 April 2001.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.