Study shows more Filipino kids going online

MANILA, Philippines – Today’s generation of Filipino children are getting hooked on the Web as one-third of households in three major cities – Manila, Cebu and Davao – now have Internet connectivity, according to a recent study.

The study, commissioned by Cartoon Network and dubbed “New Generations Philippines”, surveyed a thousand kids aged 7-14 years old in these three cities and found out that six out of 10 are Internet users.

Conducted from August to September, the study also noted a jump in the ratio of kids with Internet access at home – from 15 percent in 2005 to 32 percent this year.

“Kids have an innate ability to assimilate new technology and adapt to change at a phenomenal rate, and this can be clearly seen in the way they have embraced computers, the Internet and mobile phones,” said Duncan Morris, vice president for research and market development at Turner International Asia Pacific.

Morris said increasing access to the Internet also meant parents being more active in guiding their children on how to use the Internet properly.

“We found out that parents set rules on what websites to visit and kids understood those rules,” said Morris.

Nearly 80 percent of the kids surveyed cite online games as the number one reason why they use the Internet. Among age groups, the study said kids 7-8 years old play the most.

Watching videos online was cited as the most sought-after activity followed by doing schoolwork and visiting social networking sites. Among those surveyed, Friendster was the most visited followed by Facebook and Multiply.

Morris also noted that the growing digital lifestyle of Filipino kids may be due to the generosity of their parents.

“Ninety-one percent of Filipino parents give pocket money amounting to an average of P197 weekly to their children this year as compared to 169 pesos in 2007,” he noted.

“It strikes me since the Philippines is a developing country. I guess Filipino parents are just generous and would want the best opportunities for their kids.” -Izah Morales, INQUIRER.net