Facebook is introducing Messenger Kids, targeting children ages 2-8, with features that make it almost impossible for parents to monitor content. Some statistics on the use of screens by children follows.
I am left wondering what children younger than 2 years old are using virtual assistants for.
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Table: “As Facebook Launches Messenger Kids: Percentage Share of Screen Time of Children Up To 8 Years, 2011, 2017”, in Wall Street Journal, December 5, 2017. p. B4.
(The screen viewed is increasingly a mobile device.)
2011: Television: 69%; DVD/Videotape: 21%; computer: 17%; video game: 14%; mobile device: 5%.
2017: Television: 58%; DVD/Videotape: 17%; computer: 10%; video game: 6%; mobile device: 48%.
Source: Common Sense Media.
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Table: “As Facebook Launches Messenger Kids: Percentage of Children Up To 8 Years Old Using Virtual Assistants, 2017”, in Wall Street Journal, December 5, 2017. p. B4.
(Voice-activated device like Amazon Echo or Apple’s Siri.)
Less than 2 years: 2%.
2-4 years: 11%.
5-8 years: 23%.
Source: Common Sense Media.
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Table: “As Facebook Launches Messenger Kids: Percentage of Children Up to 8 Years Old Using Social Media by Gender, 2017”, in Wall Street Journal, December 5, 2017. p. B4.
(Websites such as Club Penguin, Animal Jam or Minecraft, if played online.)
Boys: 28% play games; 4% used a website.
Girls: 15% play games; 6% used a website.
Source: Common Sense Media.
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