One in four primary children owns mobile

THE number of seven to ten-year-olds with a mobile phone has almost doubled in the past three years, according to a survey published today.

In 2001, 13 per cent of primary schoolchildren owned a phone. By the start of this year, the number had increased to 25 per cent. The findings come from a survey of 2,000 seven- to ten-year-olds from the market analysts Mintel.

Jenny Catlin, a consumer analyst at Mintel, said: "Many parents find it reassuring to be able to get in touch with their children at any time and some consider mobiles important for their children’s safety.

"Children in one-parent households are more likely to have their own phone. This may be because these children have more complex lifestyles, especially if they are in regular touch with their non-resident parent.

"They may need a phone more to help with the logistics of moving between two households."

The poll, conducted at the start of the year through questionnaires sent via parents, revealed that life can be stressful, even for young children.

More than a third of the seven to 10-year-olds said they were "very worried" about school work and 48 per cent were concerned about bullying. As a result, just 46 per cent said they enjoyed school. "It is surprising that this many young children are so concerned about their school work but this does go hand-in-hand with the growing emphasis on school testing," said Ms Catlin.

"This combined with their anxiety about bullying suggests that life can be quite stressful, even at this young age."