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Young Kids Rarely Use Search, Spending More Time Online

by Warren Riddle on September 16, 2010 at 04:45 PM

Kid on the web
The Internet presents kids with unlimited educational opportunities, so -- unsurprisingly -- kids don't actually use it to discover new information. Like a shiny new toy rapidly losing its luster in a dusty corner, kids ignore the infinite search possibilities afforded by the Web, and instead prefer bookmarks, remembered favorites and paid subscription services to fulfill their online needs.

A Nielsen Norman Group study has concluded that children under the age of 11 now predominately adhere to an "app mentality." In 2009, an Ohio State University study revealed that adults typically favor sites with which they're already familiar. Kids aren't much different, the recent report suggests; apparently, younger kids are "skimming pages and skipping instructions just like adults."

The study also asserts that kids have dramatically increased their technical computer skills and overall Internet use since a similar study in 2001. Six-year olds are now significantly more adept online, with nine-year olds being just as savvy as adults. Nearly three-quarters of youngsters between eight and 18 visit the Web every day (at an average of 1 hour and 29 minutes per visit). That's up from the 27-minute total of 2001.

Once kids hit 11, they do apparently become "avid searchers." Considering what frequently pops up in search results (even with safety filters), perhaps it's best that those impressionable pre-teens stick to their parent-approved bookmarks.

Tags: children, education, kids, Nielsen, search, study, web

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