As part of a series of posts, we examine the latest research on how young people and the wider population in the UK use the internet, and what it means for Local Authorities, schools and teachers.

66% of 15-24 year olds have broadband and about 82% of them have Social Networking Service (SNS) profile. Most 16-17 yrs have a profile (67%).
15% of very young children (6-11 yrs) have used Bebo, 4% have used Facebook and 8% have used MySpace. By 12 yrs most kids can describe what a SNS is, although they don’t know the term. Most adults don’t have a SNS but are more likely to if their children do (is for the purposes of snooping?).

The most likely intellectual rejectors of social networks are older teens. In social networks most people have between 1-20 friends.

Mobile net use
24% are concerned that the existing ways of controlling the web would not have any effect on the many young people accessing the net on their mobile phones. Many of those who don’t use the net (this tends to be the older generations) are most likely to also not use mobile technology. Those who do use mobile phones use them most for (2007 compared to 2005):

• Sending texts (83%, up from 79)
• Taking pictures (60%, up from 38%)
• Sending photos (44%)
• Playing games (27%, down from 28%)
• Listening to music (25%)
• Accessing email or the net (15%, up from 11%)

Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs)
100% of schools should have Acceptable Use Policies that are regularly reviewed, monitored and agreed with parents and students.

Categories: Digital Literacy, Mobile, Research, Social Media