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Safer Internet Day: 26% of 11-16 year olds use 6 or more social networks

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

February 10, 2015 | 3 min read

Over a quarter of kids aged between 11 and 16 are using over five social networks at any one time, showing just how large kids' online footprints are, according to a study commissioned to coincide with Internet Safety Day.

A ResearchBods survey of 1,004 young people aged between 11-16 years old found that YouTube was the most popular digital service, within 78 per cent of respondents claiming to use the app.

Facebook came second with 74 per cent, followed by picture messaging app Snapchat (46 per cent), image sharing app Instagram (43 per cent) and Twitter (37 per cent). A third of kids also regularly accessed block-based world-building game Minecraft, the most popular video game on the list.

Safer Internet Day, a movement created by the European Commission’s Safer Internet Programme Insafe, aims to “create a better internet together” and has a particular emphasis on the protection of kids. It has landed on 10 February for the last 11 years.

Marc Durando, executive director of European Schoolnet, said: “We are delighted to continue to organise this landmark online safety campaign with the support of the European Commission. The theme of ‘Let’s create a better internet together’ reflects how public and private stakeholders should come together to build a trusted digital environment for all.

“An online place where children and young people feel empowered to develop and express their views and ideas, in an open and respectful dialogue with parents, carers and educators, with policy makers and industry.”

Ian Twinn, director of public affairs at the ISBA, added: “A parent’s worry for their child’s safety is infinite and especially regarding online activity. It is important to offer help. At the same time it is fascinating that surveys show children are more confident in dealing with perceived and real dangers online than their parents are.”

“Advertising is certainly not the worst thing a child can come across yet we too in the ad industry feel a sense of responsibility... parents have a right to expect us not to abuse a child’s understanding, or present harmful products to them.”

One way governmernts are legistlating to protect kids is with opt-out porn filters, Sky introduced its firewall last month in the UK.

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