Nielsen: Kids' online time leaps dramatically

Kids from two to 11 years of age are spending 63 percent more time online than they did five years ago, says a report released Monday from Nielsen Online. Children in that age range were online an average of 11 hours in May 2009 versus just 7 hours in May 2004.

Over the past five years, the total number of kids surfing the Net has shot up 18 percent to 16 million, says the report, while the overall Internet population has risen only 10 percent. The younger set now represents 9.5 percent of the online community.

Online use among kids surged despite a projected decrease of 1 percent in the population of children under 14 for 2004 to 2010, says Nielsen, citing an estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Results were split pretty evenly by gender. For May 2009, boys 2-11 spent 7 percent more time online than did girls in the same age group, though girls surfed 9 percent more web pages than did boys.

Online video has proven popular among kids, especially boys. Among all children, boys watched 61 percent of videos on the Net in May 2009, accounting for 57 percent of the time the children spent viewing online video.

[sam_dubit]

I'm suprised it's not more with massive increase in tween social networks like Habbo, Club Penguin etc.

[Lerianis3]

Actually, most 'tweens' are getting on things like Facebook and other networks by simply lying or exaggerating their ages. Hell, I recently saw a 9 year old who I would have SWORN was 14 or more, judging from the boobs and butt.

[portvista]

I don't understand why anyone cites Nielsen, since they don't explain how they got the data. It's completely non-scientific. This data just comes from their press releases they use to promote their paid services.

[tenbosch]

http://en-us.nielsen.com/main/measurement/online

[nagunagu]

Nielsen ratings are the biggest fraud in my mind. All their stats seem to be extrapolation after polling a small percentage. In my life, I haven't been part of any Nielsen survey. But only in the result :-)

Though I can see/understand the increase in kids web usage, how does Nielsen quantify?

[dkgshiz100]

Ah, good old house hermits. Its really sad to see how many people just sit online all day doing nothing. Its almost scary that some people have no life at all. I hope some day the parents realize theres more to life then being a house hermit.

[sabmorgan08]

I understand that kids are spending more time online. There's more social networks out now then ever before, MySpace, Facebook, etc. And plus the media helps with the hype. But I don't know how or where these Nielsen people are getting their ratings... I'll have to research that one.

And whats with this Lerianis3 guy. Are you into the little kiddies?? .... Nvm no comment.

[wjameson11]

only 11 hours per month? My kids seen to be spending 3 to 4 housr a day now with on-line games! Help !!

[Stefaninafla]

Well, just tell them no. You're the parent, after all.

[wjameson11]

only 11 hours per month? My kids seen to be spending 3 to 4 hours a day now with on-line games! Help !!