Mobile phones play a central and largely positive role in children and young people’s lives and help them to be independent, organise their daily lives, support their relationships, provide entertainment and make them feel safer, new research has found.

The research, undertaken by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People with the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, surveyed and spoke with more than 1,500 children and young people in Years 6 and 9 across New South Wales to learn more about how mobile phones fit into their lives.

“We wanted to better understand the role and impact mobiles can have on young people’s lives, such as their relationships and consumer habits,” said Ms Gillian Calvert, the NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People.

“We found that mobiles are a big part of young people’s lives. Most of the 11 to 15 year olds we spoke with had their own mobile and mobile ownership seems to be increasing at a younger age.

“We found that mobiles aren’t simply a convenience for worried parents to exert control over their children, nor are they something teenagers use to deceive or manipulate their parents. Mobiles are part of a bigger communication revolution and help children and young people and their parents to meet the changing circumstances of modern life.”

“Mobiles help children and young people to maintain stronger relationships across greater distances, including family relationships within separated families.

“Young people also negotiate ethical and socially responsible behaviours when they use mobiles and owning a mobile can be a valuable tool for young people to learn to manage money.

“Like all technology, mobile phones can have both positive and negative impacts on young people’s lives. Kids highlighted areas of concern such as the cost of buying credit and bills, pranking and practical jokes. The lack of control that comes with new technologies such as Bluetooth and unwanted sharing of images also concerned some young people.

“Such issues will present ongoing challenges for young people, parents and the wider community, particularly as technology advances and evolves.”

The research was funded by the Australian Research Council. A summary of the research, Mobile Me - Kids speak out about mobile phones is available at www.kids.nsw.gov.au. The report is part of the Commission’s ongoing Ask the children series which seeks kids’ views about issues affecting their lives.

View AMTA's Kidz website here.