This report examines children’s media literacy. It provides detailed evidence on media use, attitudes and understanding among children and young people aged 5-15, as well as detailed information about the media access and use of young children aged 3-4.
The report also includes findings relating to parents’ views about their children’s media use, and the ways that parents seek – or decide not – to monitor or limit use of different types of media.
The report is a reference for industry, stakeholders and consumers. It also provides context to the work Ofcom undertakes in furthering the interests of consumers and citizens in the markets we regulate.
The Communications Act 2003 placed a responsibility on Ofcom to promote, and to carry out research in, media literacy. This report on children and parents contributes to Ofcom’s fulfilment of this duty.
Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2016 (PDF, 2.9 MB) - 16 Nov 2016
Childrens’ online content worksheet (PDF, 1.1 MB) - Feb 2017
In collaboration with Childnet, a charity working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children, we’ve created a worksheet for children aged 8-11 based on our research. The worksheet focuses on when and how children go online, and what they see when they do.
