As your child navigates the digital world, it’s crucial to stay informed and involved in their online activities. Recent research from Ofcom, looking into young children’s online worlds, highlights some important points to consider. The research found an increase in younger children using social media platforms and engaging in online gaming, which calls for careful supervision and conversations about age-appropriate content. The findings revealed that even our youngest learners, aged 5-7, are increasingly engaging in messaging, video calls, and social media platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Discord. Additionally, online gaming has become a popular activity, with 41% of children in this age group participating, particularly in shooter games. This highlights the importance of always checking the content our children wish to engage with online prior to them using it and ensuring it’s suitable for their age. It’s encouraging that the findings show that many parents are already having conversations about online safety with their children; it’s essential to keep these dialogues ongoing and adapt as our children’s digital experiences evolve. You find more information on the recent research here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/news-centre/2024/a-window-into-young-childrens-online-worlds
