According to a survey of parents and children in the UK conducted in 2023, 98 percent of children between 16 and 17 years old owned a smartphone, while 80 percent of respondents aged between three and four did not have a mobile phone.
Electronic devices available to children
Mobile phones are not the only devices children are exposed to daily. At home, indeed, they have access to all kinds of electronic devices, such as TVs, gaming consoles, and radios. For instance, in 2020, 84 percent of children had access to a smart TV, and 85 percent had a game console. Furthermore, 90 percent of children in the UK had access to a PC, laptop, or netbook with an internet connection.
Children’s online activities
British children perform many different activities online, with mobile phones being the most used devices to go online. Among the most recurring online activities were playing games and watching videos, especially on YouTube. Furthermore, children in the UK appear to spend quite some time on social media platforms, like TikTok and Snapchat, where they spend on average 97 and 82 minutes daily, respectively.
Share of children owning mobile phones in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by age group
Characteristic
3-4
5-7
8-11
12-15
16-17
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
The original question was formed as follows: "F. Does your child have their own mobile phone of any type? If so - is it a smartphone? (single code)"
Base: Parents of children aged 3-17 (326 aged 3-4, 489 aged 5-7, 652 aged 8-11, 652 aged 12-15, 326 aged 16-17).
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Ofcom. (March 29, 2023). Share of children owning mobile phones in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by age group [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326211/children-owning-mobile-phone-by-age-uk/
Ofcom. "Share of children owning mobile phones in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by age group." Chart. March 29, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326211/children-owning-mobile-phone-by-age-uk/
Ofcom. (2023). Share of children owning mobile phones in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by age group. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326211/children-owning-mobile-phone-by-age-uk/
Ofcom. "Share of Children Owning Mobile Phones in The United Kingdom (Uk) in 2023, by Age Group." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Mar 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326211/children-owning-mobile-phone-by-age-uk/
Ofcom, Share of children owning mobile phones in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by age group Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326211/children-owning-mobile-phone-by-age-uk/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Share of children owning mobile phones in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by age group [Graph], Ofcom, March 29, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326211/children-owning-mobile-phone-by-age-uk/